Slidable fiber optic connection module with cable slack management

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic telecommunications device includes a frame and a fiber optic module including a rack mount portion, a center portion, and a main housing portion. The rack mount portion is stationarily coupled to the frame, the center portion is slidably coupled to the rack mount portion along a sliding direction, and the main housing portion is slidably coupled to the center portion along the sliding direction. The main housing portion of the fiber optic module includes fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables to be routed through the frame. The center portion of the fiber optic module includes a radius limiter for guiding cables between the main housing portion and the frame, the center portion also including a latch for unlatching the center portion for slidable movement. Slidable movement of the center portion with respect to the rack mount portion moves the main housing portion with respect to the frame along the sliding direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/645,771, filed on Oct. 5, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,057,859, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/704,330,filed on Sep. 21, 2012; 61/650,772, filed on May 23, 2012; 61/649,752,filed on May 21, 2012; 61/609,993, filed Mar. 13, 2012; 61/599,009,filed Feb. 15, 2012; 61/565,377, filed Nov. 30, 2011; and 61/544,947,filed Oct. 7, 2011, which applications are incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optictelecommunications equipment. More specifically, the present disclosurerelates to a fiber optic module designed for high density applications.

BACKGROUND

In the telecommunications industry, the demand for added capacity isgrowing rapidly. This demand is being met in part by the increasing useand density of fiber optic transmission equipment. Even though fiberoptic equipment permits higher levels of transmission in the same orsmaller footprint than traditional copper transmission equipment, thedemand requires even higher levels of fiber density. This has led to thedevelopment of high-density fiber handling equipment.

An example of this type of equipment is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,051(the '051 patent) assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc. This patentconcerns a high-density fiber distribution frame and high-density fibertermination blocks (FTBs) which are mounted to the frame. Because of thelarge number of optical fibers passing into and out of the FTBs, theframe and blocks have a variety of structures to organize and manage thefibers. Some structures are used to aid the fibers entering the back ofthe frame and FTBs. Other structures are provided for managing thecables leaving the FTBs on the front. The FTBs also include structuresfor facilitating access to the densely packed terminations. One suchstructure is a slidable adapter module that is incorporated into theFTBs to allow selective access to the densely packed terminations insidethe FTBs.

Further development in such fiber termination systems is desired.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic telecommunicationsdevice. The telecommunications device includes a slidable fiber opticconnection module with features for cable slack management.

According to one example embodiment, the fiber optic telecommunicationsdevice includes a frame and a fiber optic module including a rack mountportion, a center portion, and a main housing portion. The rack mountportion is stationarily coupled to the frame, the center portion isslidably coupled to the rack mount portion along a sliding direction,and the main housing portion is slidably coupled to the center portionalong the sliding direction. The main housing portion of the fiber opticmodule includes fiber optic connection locations for connecting cablesto be routed through the frame. The center portion of the fiber opticmodule includes a radius limiter for guiding cables between the mainhousing portion and the frame, the center portion also including a latchfor unlatching the center portion for slidable movement. Slidablemovement of the center portion with respect to the rack mount portionmoves the main housing portion with respect to the frame along thesliding direction.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and combinations of features. It is to be understood that boththe foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broadinventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein arebased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, left, top perspective view of a high-density fiberdistribution frame shown with a plurality of slidable fiber opticconnection modules having features that are examples of inventiveaspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosuremounted in a stacked arrangement thereon;

FIG. 2 illustrates the high-density fiber distribution frame of FIG. 1with one of the slidable fiber optic connection modules in an extendedposition;

FIG. 3 is a rear, right, top perspective view of the high-density fiberdistribution frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the high-density fiber distribution frame ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the high-density fiber distribution frameof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the high-density fiber distribution frameof FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the high-density fiber distribution frameof FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front, left, top perspective view of one of the plurality ofslidable fiber optic connection modules of FIG. 1 shown in isolation;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the fiber optic connection module of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the center member of the slide assemblyof the fiber optic connection module of FIG. 8, the center member shownslidably mounted to the rack mount member of the slide assembly;

FIG. 11 illustrates the center member of FIG. 10 with the latch rodinserted into the base member thereof, the center member shown slidablymounted to the rack mount member of the slide assembly;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the latch rod of the center member ofthe slide assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a left plan view of the latch rod of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the latch rod of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the latch rod of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the floating plate of the latch rod asshown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the floating plate of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the floating plate of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a left plan view of the floating plate of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connection moduleof FIG. 8, the cross-sectional view illustrating the rack/pinionarrangement among the rack mount member, the center member, and the mainframe member of the module;

FIG. 21 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating therack/pinion arrangement between the rack mount member and the centermember of the slide assembly;

FIG. 22 is a close-up perspective cross-sectional view illustrating theinteraction between the floating plate of the latch rod and the rackmount member of the slide assembly;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an example adapter having a mediareading interface configured to collect information stored in memorydisposed on a fiber optic connector;

FIG. 24 illustrates a telecommunications rack with a plurality of priorart distribution frames or blocks mounted thereon;

FIG. 25 illustrates a rack mount telecommunications panel havingfeatures that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with thepresent disclosure, the telecommunications panel including anotherembodiment of a slidable fiber optic connection module having featuresthat are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 26 is a front, right, top perspective view of one of the pluralityof slidable fiber optic connection modules that are positioned adjacentthe left side of the panel of FIG. 25, the connection module shown inisolation;

FIG. 27 is a front view of the fiber optic connection module of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 illustrates a top view of a fiber optic connection module ofFIG. 26 mounted within the panel of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the center member of the slide assemblyof the fiber optic connection module of FIG. 26, the center member shownadjacent to a rack mount member of the slide assembly;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connection moduleof FIG. 26, the cross-sectional view illustrating the fiber opticconnection module at a neutral retracted position with respect to thetelecommunications panel;

FIG. 30A is a close-up view of FIG. 30 illustrating the front and rearfloating plates of the centering member of the slide assembly restingwithin the elongate middle notch of the rack mount member of the slideassembly when the connection module is at a neutral position;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connection moduleof FIG. 26, the cross-sectional view illustrating the fiber opticconnection module at a forwardly extended position with respect to thetelecommunications panel;

FIG. 31A is a close-up view of FIG. 31 illustrating the front floatingplate of the centering member nested within the front notch of the rackmount member and the rear floating plate of the centering memberabutting against the front edge of the elongate middle notch of the rackmount member when the connection module is at the forwardly extendedposition;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connection moduleof FIG. 26, the cross-sectional view illustrating the fiber opticconnection module at a rearwardly extended position with respect to thetelecommunications panel;

FIG. 32A is a close-up view of FIG. 32 illustrating the rear floatingplate of the centering member nested within the rear notch of the rackmount member and the front floating plate of the centering memberabutting against the rear edge of the elongate middle notch of the rackmount member when the connection module is at the rearwardly extendedposition;

FIG. 33 illustrates the position of the pivot door of thetelecommunications panel when the connection module is at a neutralretracted position;

FIG. 34 illustrates the radius limiter of the connection modulecontacting the pivot door to unlock the door as the connection module isbeing pulled in the forward direction;

FIG. 35 illustrates the pivot door being opened by being contacted bythe right wall of the connection module;

FIG. 36 illustrates the position of the pivot door when the connectionmodule is at the full forwardly extended position;

FIG. 37 is a front, right, top perspective view of the main frame memberof another embodiment of a slidable fiber optic connection module havingfeatures that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with thepresent disclosure, the fiber optic connection module suitable formounting to the telecommunications panel of FIG. 25;

FIG. 38 is a front, right, top perspective view of the main frame memberof FIG. 37 with a fiber optic cassette mounted thereto;

FIG. 39 is a rear, left, top perspective view of the main frame memberand the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 illustrates the main frame member and the fiber optic cassetteof FIG. 38 in an exploded configuration;

FIG. 41 is a close-up view of one of the equipment mounts of the mainframe member of FIG. 37;

FIG. 42 is a close-up view of one of the removable cable retentionmembers of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 40;

FIG. 43 is a close-up view illustrating one of the bottom tabs of thefiber optic cassette of FIGS. 38-40 snap-fitting into one of theopenings of the main frame member of FIG. 37;

FIG. 44 is a front, right, top perspective view of the fiber opticcassette of FIGS. 38-40 shown in isolation;

FIG. 45 is a front, right, bottom perspective view of the fiber opticcassette of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a top view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 44;

FIG. 47 is a bottom view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 44;

FIG. 48 is a front view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 44;

FIG. 49 is a right side view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 44;

FIG. 50 is a front, right, top perspective view of another embodiment ofa fiber optic cassette suitable for mounting on the main frame member ofFIG. 37;

FIG. 51 is a front, right, bottom perspective view of the fiber opticcassette of FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a top view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 50;

FIG. 53 is a bottom view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 50;

FIG. 54 is a front view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 50;

FIG. 55 is a right side view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 50;

FIG. 56 illustrates a front, right, top perspective view of the fiberoptic cassette of FIG. 50 with the cover removed to show the internalfeatures thereof;

FIG. 57 is a top view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 is a front, right, top exploded perspective view of the fiberoptic cassette of FIG. 50;

FIG. 59 is a rear, left, top exploded perspective view of the fiberoptic cassette of FIG. 50;

FIG. 60 illustrates a front, right, top perspective view of the body ofthe fiber optic cassette of FIG. 50, with the cover and one of theadapter blocks removed therefrom;

FIG. 61 is a rear, left, top perspective view of the cassette body ofFIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is a top view of the cassette body of FIG. 60;

FIG. 63 is a left side view of the cassette body of FIG. 60;

FIG. 64 is a close-up perspective view illustrating a right ramped tabof the adapter block snap-fit into an opening on the center divider wallof the fiber optic cassette body;

FIG. 65 is a close-up perspective view illustrating a left ramped tab ofthe adapter block snap-fit into an opening on a side wall of the fiberoptic cassette body;

FIG. 66 is a close-up top view illustrating the right ramped tab of theadapter block snap-fit into an opening on the center divider wall of thefiber optic cassette body;

FIG. 67 is a close-up top view illustrating the left ramped tab of theadapter block snap-fit into an opening on a side wall of the fiber opticcassette body;

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 68-68 of FIG. 56;

FIG. 69 is a close-up cross-sectional view illustrating the left rampedtab of the left adapter block snap-fit into an opening on a side wall ofthe fiber optic cassette body;

FIG. 70 is a close-up cross-sectional view illustrating the right rampedtab of the right adapter block and the left ramped tab of the leftadapter block snap-fit into the opening on the center divider wall ofthe fiber optic cassette body;

FIG. 71 is a close-up cross-sectional view illustrating the right rampedtab of the right adapter block snap-fit into an opening on a side wallof the fiber optic cassette body;

FIG. 72 is a front, right, top perspective view of one of the adapterblocks suitable for mounting directly on the main frame member of FIG.37 or mounting to the fiber optic cassettes of FIGS. 44-49 and FIGS.50-55;

FIG. 73 is a top view of the adapter block of FIG. 72;

FIG. 74 is a front, right, top perspective view of another embodiment ofa fiber optic cassette suitable for mounting on the main frame member ofFIG. 37;

FIG. 75 is a top view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 74;

FIG. 76 is a bottom view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 74;

FIG. 77 is a right side view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 74;

FIG. 78 is a front, right, top exploded perspective view of the fiberoptic cassette of FIG. 74;

FIG. 79 illustrates a top view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 74with the cover removed to show the internal features thereof, the fiberoptic cassette shown with a first example cable routing configurationwithin the cassette;

FIG. 80 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a secondexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 81 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a thirdexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 82 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a fourthexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 83 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a fifthexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 84 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a sixthexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 85 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a seventhexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 86 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with an eighthexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 87 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a ninthexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 88 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with a tenthexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 89 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 79 with an eleventhexample cable routing configuration within the cassette;

FIG. 90 is a front, right, top perspective view of another embodiment ofa fiber optic cassette suitable for mounting on the main frame member ofFIG. 37;

FIG. 91 is a top view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 90;

FIG. 92 is a bottom view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 90;

FIG. 93 is a front view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 90;

FIG. 94 is a rear view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 90;

FIG. 95 is a right side view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 90;

FIG. 96 is a left side view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 90;

FIG. 97 is a front, right, top exploded perspective view of the fiberoptic cassette of FIG. 90;

FIG. 98 illustrates a top view of the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 90with the cover removed to show the internal features thereof, the fiberoptic cassette shown with the MPO connectors removed from the fiberoptic cassette;

FIG. 99 illustrates the fiber optic cassette of FIG. 98 with the MPOconnectors mounted to the fiber optic cassette;

FIG. 100 illustrates a rear perspective view of a telecommunicationsrack configured to house a plurality of distribution panels similar tothe distribution panel of FIG. 24, the telecommunications rack shownwith one of the distribution panels mounted thereon and with an examplecable routing configuration around portions of the rack;

FIG. 101 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for a fiberoptic cassette similar to the cassette of FIGS. 50-71 mounted on thepanel of FIG. 100, the cable routing shown for a rear side of the rack;

FIG. 102 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack of FIG. 100 for an incoming cable routed to themodules located on the rack, the cable incoming from the top of therack;

FIG. 102A is a close up view of a portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 102;

FIG. 102B is a close up view of another portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 102;

FIG. 103 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack of FIG. 100 for an incoming cable routed to themodules located on the rack, the cable incoming from the bottom of therack;

FIG. 103A is a close up view of a portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 103;

FIG. 103B is a close up view of another portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 103;

FIG. 104 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack of FIG. 100 for an incoming patch cord routed tothe modules located on the rack, the patch cord incoming from the top ofthe rack;

FIG. 104A is a close up view of a portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 104;

FIG. 104B is a close up view of another portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 104;

FIG. 105 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack of FIG. 100 for an incoming cable that leads toa splice chassis of the rack, the cable incoming from the top of therack;

FIG. 106 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack of FIG. 100 for an incoming cable that leads toa splice chassis of the rack, the cable incoming from the bottom of therack;

FIG. 107 illustrates an example cable routing configuration within therack for a pigtail cable extending from the modules of thetelecommunications rack of FIG. 100 to a splice chassis of the rack;

FIG. 107A is a close up view of a portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 107;

FIG. 107B is a close up view of another portion of the cable routingconfiguration of FIG. 107;

FIG. 108 illustrates a front perspective view of the telecommunicationsrack of FIG. 100, showing an example cable routing configuration at thefront side of the rack, the cables extending from the modules mounted ona distribution panel similar to the distribution panel of FIG. 24 whichis mounted on the rack;

FIG. 109 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for a fiberoptic cassette mounted on the panel of FIG. 100, the cable routing shownfor a front side of the rack;

FIG. 110 illustrates an example cable routing configuration forcross-connect cabling within the same rack from one module on a panel toanother module on another panel within the rack, the modules located onopposite sides of the rack;

FIG. 111 illustrates an example cable routing configuration forcross-connect cabling within the same rack similar to that shown in FIG.110, however, between modules on the right side of the rack and betweenmodules on the left side of the rack;

FIG. 112 illustrates an example cable routing configuration forcross-connect cabling between two of the telecommunications racks ofFIG. 100;

FIG. 113 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for aninterconnect routing on a single frame, wherein incoming patch cords arerouted to the modules located on the rack, the patch cords incoming fromthe top of the rack;

FIG. 114 illustrates certain example methods of managing cable slack forcables routed within the rack of FIG. 100;

FIG. 115 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of thetelecommunications rack of FIG. 100 including a sliding frame configuredto hold telecommunications equipment such as splice cassettes;

FIG. 116 is an isolated view of a sliding frame of FIG. 115 with thesplice cassettes removed for ease in viewing;

FIG. 117 is a top plan view of the telecommunications rack shown in FIG.115 taken along a lateral cross-section so that the splice area isvisible with the frame slid out to show the storage region; and

FIG. 118 is a schematic diagram showing example cables routed throughthe storage area and sliding frame of FIG. 117.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to examples of inventive aspects ofthe present disclosure which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

A high-density distribution frame 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. Thefiber distribution frame 10 defines a front side 12, a rear side 14, aright side 16, and a left side 18. The fiber distribution frame 10includes a plurality of fiber optic connection modules 20 mountedthereon in a stacked arrangement. As will be described in further detailbelow, each of the connection modules 20 is separately slidable withrespect to the frame 10 between a retracted position and an extendedposition for the purpose of accessing the fiber optic equipment locatedin or on the modules 20. The connection modules 20 are slidablyextendable from a neutral position on the distribution frame 10 to anextended position in either the front or the back directions. Thus, ifthe fiber optic connection locations within the module 20 need to beaccessed from the rear 14 of the distribution frame 10, the modules 20can be slidably extended from the neutral position toward the rear 14 ofthe frame 10. Similarly, if the fiber optic connection locations withinthe module 20 need to be accessed from the front 12 of the distributionframe 10, the modules 20 can be slidably extended from the neutralposition toward the front 12 of the frame 10. As will be explained infurther detail below, the modules 20 include a latching arrangementconfigured to lock or position the modules 20 in the neutral retractedposition and allow the modules 20 to be unlocked for slidable movementin either direction.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-7, as will be explained in further detail,the high-density fiber distribution frame 10 includes cable managementfeatures located on the left side 18 of the frame 10 and also generallyunderneath the stack of connection modules 20 for guiding input cablestoward the frame 10 and guiding output cables away from the frame 10. Inthe present application, although the connection modules 20 are shownand described as being mounted on a fiber distribution frame such asthat shown in FIGS. 1-7, the distribution frame 10 is only one exampleof a piece of fiber optic equipment to which such modules 20 may bemounted. It should be noted that the high-density fiber distributionframe 10 described herein may be used in a stacked arrangement in atelecommunications rack such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.6,591,051, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such atelecommunications rack 300 is also shown in FIG. 24 with a plurality ofprior art distribution frames or blocks 302 mounted thereon in a stackedarrangement. The example rack defines a vertical cable path 304 withcable management structures 306 for leading cables away from and towardthe distribution frames/blocks 302.

Now referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, one of the slidable fiber opticconnection modules 20 is shown in isolation. The connection module 20 isshown in the neutral (retracted) position. The connection module 20utilizes a three-piece slide assembly 22 that includes a rack and pinionarrangement allowing the connection module 20 to be slidable between theretracted and extended positions. By using a three-piece slide assembly22 with a rack and pinion arrangement, a center member 24 of the slideassembly 22 moves with respect to both a main frame member 26 and a rackmount member 28 of the connection module 20. Due to the geararrangement, the center member 24 moves at half the linear speed thatthe main frame member 26 moves with respect to the stationary rack mountmember 28. Portions of the center member 24 of the slide assembly 22 maybe used as handles for pulling and pushing the main frame member 26between the extended and retracted positions. Since the center member 24also moves while main frame member 26 is moving (at half the linearspeed of the main frame member 26), the module 20 is configured tomanage the slack in the cables routed through the module 20. The slideassembly 22 is configured such that when the connection module 20 ismoved to either the front or the back extended position, cablesextending from the main frame member 26, around radius limiters definedat the two ends of the center member 24, can maintain the same pathlength and are not stressed or pulled during the travel of the mainframe member 26. Also, when the module 20 is being slid from theextended position to the neutral position, the slide assembly 22 allowsthe main frame member 26 to move in the same direction as the centermember 24 (and the radius limiters located on ends of the center member24), providing management of any slack in the cables routed through themodule 20.

Still referring to FIGS. 8-9, as discussed, the connection module 20includes a main frame member 26. The main frame member 26 is configuredto provide connection locations 30 for the module 20. For each mainframe member 26, at each of the right and left sides 32, 34 thereof, themain frame member 26 defines a dove-tail shaped longitudinal protrusion36. At the left side 34 of the main frame member 26, the dove-tailshaped longitudinal protrusion 36 slides within a matching longitudinalgroove 38 defined on the right side 40 of the center member 24. For eachmain frame member 26, at the right side 32 of the main frame member 26,the dove-tail shaped longitudinal protrusion 36 slides within one of aplurality of tracks 42 defined on the right side 16 of the high-densitydistribution frame 10.

As will be described in further detail below, the center member 24slides between the rack mount member 28 (which may be stationarilymounted to a device such as the distribution frame 10) and the mainframe member 26. The center member 24 defines a similar secondlongitudinal groove 44 on the left side 46 thereof that slides over alongitudinal protrusion 48 defined by the stationarily mounted rackmount member 28 such that the center member 24 can slide between themain frame member 26 and the rack mount member 28.

Each of the longitudinal protrusion 36 of the main frame member 26 andthe longitudinal protrusion 48 of rack mount member 28 defines a rack.The racks 50, 52 in each of these members, respectively, meshes at thesame time with a gear wheel 54 that is located within the center member24. With such a rack and pinion arrangement of the slide assembly 22,synchronized slidable movement of the center member 24 and the mainframe member 26 is established, while the rack mount member 28 staysstationary.

Thus, by pulling and pushing the center member 24, a user can slidablypull and push the main frame member 26 at the same time at twice thespeed of the center member 24. Conversely, by moving the main framemember 26, the center member 24 also moves in the same direction as themain frame member 26, at half the speed of the main frame member 26relative to the stationary rack mount member 28.

As such, the slide assembly 22 provides synchronized slidable movementfor radius limiters located on the ends of the center member 24 relativeto the main frame member 26. As noted above, the synchronized movementof the radius limiters of the center member 24 and the main frame member26 ensures that cables routed from the connection locations 30 of themain frame member 26 do not bend too sharply when the main frame member26 is being extended or retracted. If the cables were to bend toosharply or if the cables were stressed or pulled, loss of signalstrength or loss of transmission may occur.

The rack mount member 28, in the depicted embodiment, includes fasteneropenings 54 for receiving fasteners for stationarily mounting the rackmount member 28 to a piece of telecommunications device such as the highdistribution frame 10 shown in FIGS. 1-7.

Referring specifically now to FIGS. 10-15, the center member 24 that isused to pull and push the main frame member 26 includes a base member60, a latch rod 62, and a cover member 64. The cover member 64 isconfigured to be coupled to the base member 60 with snap-fitconnections, capturing the latch rod 62 therewithin.

When the center member 24 is initially in the neutral retracted state,it needs to be unlatched before it can be pulled or pushed. The latchrod 62 is configured to unlatch and latch the center member 24 withrespect to the stationary rack mount member 28.

The latch rod 62 includes a front end 66 and a rear end 68 and a length70 extending therebetween. At the front and rear ends 66, 68 thereof,the latch rod 62 includes a handle 72. Each handle 72 is used to pull orpush the center member 24. At about midway along the length 70 of thelatch rod 62, a gear housing 74 is located. The gear wheel 76 of therack/pinion arrangement is located within the gear housing 74. As notedabove, the gear wheel 76 includes gear teeth that are configured tosimultaneously mesh with a first rack 52 provided in the rack mountmember 28 and a second rack 50 provided on the main frame member 26.Adjacent both the front and rear sides of the gear wheel 76 is located alatching arrangement 80. The latching arrangement 80 includes a floatingplate 82 defining a pin 84 therethrough. The pin 84 of the floatingplate 82 resides in a groove 86 defined on the latch rod 62. The groove86 defines an upside down V-shape configuration and has a middle peakpoint 88 and lower end points 90 at either side. When the pin 84 ispositioned at the middle peak point 88, the plate 82 is at an upwardposition and is located within a notch 92 defined on the rack mountmember 28 (please see FIG. 22). When the latch rod 62 is pulled orpushed, the pin 84 of the floating plate 82 moves downwardly along thegroove 86 (having an upside down V-shape). The movement of the plate 82downwardly clears the plate 82 from the notch 92, and the center member24 can now be slidably pulled or pushed with respect to the rack mountmember 28. The floating plate 82 is spring biased upwardly such thatwhen the center member 24 is moved toward the neutral position, theplate 82 moves upwardly into the notch 92 of the rack mount member 28when the plate 82 aligns with the notch 92, locking the center member 24in place. Although only one of the floating plates 82 is shown in FIG.11, the latch rod 62 includes a similar arrangement on both the frontside and the rear side of the center gear wheel 76. Thus, the first rack52 defined by the rack mount member 28 also includes notches 92 on bothsides of the center gear 76.

As noted previously, once the floating plate 82 clears the notch 92, thegear 76 meshes with the racks 52, 50 defined on the rack mount member 28and the main frame member 26 to start moving the main frame member 26relative to both the center member 24 (at twice the speed of the centermember 24) and the stationary rack mount member 28. It should be notedthat when the handle 72 is pulled or pushed to unlock the module 20 andto move the pin 84 of the floating plate 82 from the peak 88 of thegroove 86 toward either side of the groove 86, the gear wheel 76 rotatesslightly to move the main frame member 26 in the same direction as thecenter member 24. When the pin 84 of the floating plate 82 reacheseither of the lower ends 90 of the upside down V-shaped groove 86, thefloating plate 82 is now completely out the notch 92 and the module 20can freely slide.

At each of the front and rear ends 94, 96 of the center member 24 islocated a cable management structure 98. The cable management structure98 defines a spool 100 and a pair of cable management fingers 102. Alongwith the handle 72 and the spool 100, the cable management fingers 102define a cable path 104 for fiber optic cables coming from or going tothe main frame member 26. Once cables are lead around the spool 100,they are guided to the left side 18 of the high density distributionframe 10 to cable management structures found on the left side 18 of theframe 10.

It should be noted that cables from both the front and the back ends 25,27 of the main frame member 26 are guided around a spool 100 located ateach of the ends 94, 96 of the center member 24 and lead to the leftside 18 of the distribution frame 10.

When the center member 24 moves, moving the main frame member 26therewith, cables coming from the main frame member 26 that are routedaround the spools 100 at each end 94, 96 of the center member 24maintain a generally uniform length as they extend to the left side 18of the distribution frame 10. For example, while the front end 25 of themain frame member 26 is moving toward the front 12 of the distributionframe 10, the front end 94 of the center member 24 and, thus, the spool100 located at the front end 94 of the center member 24, also movessimultaneously with the main frame member 26, taking up any slack in thecable. Similarly, at the same time, while the rear end 27 of the mainframe member 26 is moving toward the front 12 of the distribution frame10, the rear end of the center member 26 and, thus, the spool 100located at the rear end 96 of the center member 24, moves simultaneouslyin the same direction, reducing any pull or tension on the cable routedthrough the main frame member 26. The slide assembly 22 functions in thesame manner when the main frame member 26 is moved in the rearwarddirection for accessing connection locations 30 from a rear side 14 ofthe distribution frame 10.

The interaction of the gear 76 within the center member 24 and the firstrack 52 on the rack mount member 28 and the second rack 50 on the mainframe member 26 is illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21.

Referring to FIG. 10, tabs 110 located on the rack mount member 28 flexto fit within notches 112 defined on the cover member 64 of the centermember 24 to provide stop points to indicate to a user a neutralposition for the slide assembly 22.

Even though the base member 60 and the cover member 64 of the centermember 24 are depicted as being coupled together with snap-fitinterlocks via tabs 65 and recesses 67, other types of couplingarrangements may be used. For example, threaded fasteners may be used.

Referring back to FIGS. 8 and 9, the main frame member 26 isillustrated. The main frame member 26 includes a right wall 120 and aleft wall 122. The right wall 120 defines the longitudinal protrusion 36allowing the main frame member 26 to be slidably coupled to the rightside 16 of the distribution frame 10. The left wall 122 includes asimilar longitudinal protrusion 36 for sliding within the center member24. As noted above, each of the longitudinal protrusions 36 of the rightwall 120 and the left wall 122 defines a dovetail shaped profile forslidable insertion into dovetail shaped longitudinal groove 38 of thecenter member 24 and longitudinal track 42 defined on the right side 16of the distribution frame 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The dovetailshaped profiles provide for longitudinal slidable coupling between eachcenter member 24 and main frame member 26 and each main frame member 26and the distribution frame 10 while preventing uncoupling in a directionperpendicular to the sliding direction.

The longitudinal protrusion 36 on the left wall 122 of the main framemember 26 also defines the second rack 50 for meshing with the gear 76located within the center member 24.

As discussed previously, by meshing with both the first rack 52 on therack mount member 28 and the second rack 50 on the main frame member 26at the same time, the gear 76 located on the center member 24 allows thecenter member 24 to move at half linear speed simultaneously with themain frame member 26 in the same direction.

The main frame member 26 is configured to provide fiber optic connectionlocations 30 for the connection module 20. By stacking a plurality ofthe modules 20 on a distribution frame 10, density of connections forfiber optic transmission can be increased and the slidability of themodules 20 in either the front direction or the back direction providesfor easy access at both the front 12 and the rear 14 of the distributionframe 10. As shown in FIGS. 8-9, the depicted version of the main framemember 26 includes a mount 130 for mounting fiber optic adapters 132which define the fiber optic connection locations 30 in this embodimentof the module 20. Specifically, in the module 20 shown and described inthe present application, the fiber optic connection locations 30 aredefined by adapters 132 having an LC type footprint. In the depictedembodiments, twenty-four LC adapters 132 are mounted to the mount 130via fasteners through fastener openings 134 defined on the mount 130. Inthe high density distribution frame 10 shown in FIGS. 1-7, twelveslidable modules 20 are mounted on the frame 10.

It should be noted that other standards of fiber optic adapters 132(such as SC adapters) can be mounted to the mount 130. Fiber opticadapters 132 are only one type of fiber optic equipment that providesconnection locations 30 for the module 20, and the module 20 can be usedwith other types of fiber optic equipment. For example, equipment suchas fiber optic splitters, couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, orother types of equipment, wherein cables may be routed away from theconnection locations 30, may be housed on the main frame member 26.

If fiber optic adapters are used, the connection locations may bedefined by adapters individually mounted in the mount or may be definedby blocks that include integrally formed adapters. In other embodiments,the connection locations may be in the form of a cassette that includesfiber optic adapters on one side, wherein the opposite side either has amulti-fiber connector or a cable extending outwardly therefrom, asdescribed in further detail in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/544,987, entitled FIBER OPTIC CASSETTE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD, filed onOct. 7, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As long as plurality of fiber optic cables or even a single fiber opticcable is being routed from the main frame member, around the radiuslimiters 100 of the center member 24, toward the left side 18 of thedistribution frame 10, the slide assembly 22 of the module 20 providesaccess to those fiber optic terminations while managing the cable slackto prevent pinching and preventing pulling or stressing of the cables.

The left wall 122 of the main frame member 26 defines a cable managementstructure 136 adjacent the front side 25 of the main frame member 26. Asecond cable management structure 138 is also defined between the leftwall 122 and the rear wall 123 of the main frame member 26 adjacent therear 27 of the main frame member 26. Each of the first and second cablemanagement structures 136, 138 includes a radius limiter 140, 142 and apair of cable management fingers 144 for guiding cables from connectionlocations 30 toward ends 94, 96 of the center member 24.

The front side 25 of the main frame member 26 includes a plate 150 thatis pivotably disposed. The plate 150 is configured to pivot downwardlyby gravity when the module 20 has been extended forwardly and pivotupwardly by contact when the module 20 has been retracted to the neutralposition. The plate 150, by pivoting downwardly, provides easier accessto the connection locations 30 when the module 20 is in the forwardextended position.

As noted above, after the cables coming from the connection locations 30have been guided from the main frame member 26 around the spools 100located at the ends 94, 96 of the center member 24, they are lead to theleft side 18 of the distribution frame 10.

The distribution frame 10 defines a plurality of cable managementfingers 170, 172, respectively, adjacent both the front 12 and the rear14 at the left side 18 of the frame 10 for guiding cablesdownwardly/upwardly depending upon whether the cables are input oroutput cables.

After or before the cable management fingers 170, 172 (depending uponwhether the cables are designated as input cables or output cables), thecables are routed through a trough system 180 located generallyunderneath the stacked modules 20.

Although an example cable routing will be described herein, it shall beunderstood that the routing used within the distribution frame 10 isonly one example and that the distribution frame 10 may be used in adifferent manner.

According to one example use of the distribution frame 10, the rearsides 131 of the adapters 132 located within the module 20 may be usedfor connecting input signals and the front sides 133 of the adapters 132may be used for output signals. According to the example routing, thecables carrying the input signals may be routed upwardly from the lowerramp 182 shown in FIG. 3 into the first horizontal trough 184 definedunderneath the stacked modules 20. After going around a radius limiter186 located adjacent the rear side 14 of the distribution frame 10, thecables are lead around a pair of management structures 188 located atthe rear, left side 14/18 of the distribution frame 10 and up and aroundthe cable management fingers 172 located adjacent the rear, left side14/18 of the distribution frame 10. After the cables are passed aroundthe cable management fingers 172, the cables may be guided around thespools 100 located at the back ends 96 of the center members 24 and intothe main frame members 26 of the modules 20.

The cables carrying the output signal may be lead out of the main framemembers 26 and around the spools 100 at the front ends 94 of the centermembers 24. After going over the cable management fingers 170 adjacentthe front, left side 12/18 of the distribution frame 10, cables carryingthe output signal can go around a pair of management structures 190located at the front, left side 12/18 of the distribution frame 10. Fromthe pair of management structures 190, the output cables can either bedirectly lead downwardly through a vertical path 192 defined at the leftside 18 of the distribution frame 10 or can be lead around a radiuslimiter 194 located at the front side 12 of the distribution frame 10into a second horizontal trough 196 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Within thesecond horizontal trough 196 that extends underneath the stacked modules20, the output cables can go diagonally from the front, left side 12/18of the frame 10 to the rear, right side 14/16 of the frame 10 forfurther connection.

As noted above, the distribution frame 10 may be modified to reverse theinput and output cables and change the cable management paths thereofaccordingly.

In accordance with some aspects, certain types of adapters 132 may beconfigured to collect physical layer information from one or more fiberoptic connectors 135 received thereat. For example, as shown in FIG. 23,certain types of adapter modules 132 may include a body 200 configuredto hold one or more media reading interfaces 220 that are configured toengage memory contacts on the fiber optic connectors 135. One or moremedia reading interfaces 220 may be positioned in the adapter body 200.In certain implementations, the adapter body 200 defines slots 210extending between an exterior of the adapter body 200 and an internalpassage in which the ferrules of the connectors 135 are received.

Certain types of media reading interfaces 220 include one or morecontact members 221 that are positioned in the slots 210. As shown inFIG. 23, a portion of each contact member 221 extends into a respectiveone of the passages to engage memory contacts on a fiber optic connector135. Another portion of each contact member 221 also extends out of theslot 210 to contact a circuit board 230. Portions of the main framemember 26 may define conductive paths that are configured to connect themedia reading interfaces 220 of the adapter 132 with a master circuitboard. The master circuit board may include or connect (e.g., over anetwork) to a processing unit that is configured to manage physicallayer information obtained by the media reading interfaces.

Example adapters having media reading interfaces and example fiber opticconnectors having suitable memory storage and memory contacts are shownin U.S. application Ser. No. 13/025,841, filed Feb. 11, 2011, titled“Managed Fiber Connectivity Systems,” the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-36, another embodiment of a slidable fiberoptic connection module 300 having features that are examples ofinventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure isillustrated.

In FIG. 25, a plurality of the slidable fiber optic connection modules300 are shown in a stacked arrangement on a rack mounttelecommunications panel 302 (e.g., a 19-inch panel in the depictedexample). As noted for previous embodiments, even though the connectionmodules 300 are shown and described as being mounted on a rack mounttelecommunications panel such as that shown in FIG. 25, the panel 302 isonly one example of a piece of fiber optic equipment to which suchmodules 300 may be mounted and other telecommunications equipment may beused. The rack mount panel 302 will be used to illustrate and describethe inventive aspects of the connection modules 300.

The telecommunications panel 302 defines an open front end 304, an openrear end 306, a right side 308 defined by a right wall 310, a left side312 defined by a left wall 314, a top side 316 defined by a top wall318, and a bottom side 320 defined by a bottom wall 322. The panel 302includes mounting brackets 324 attached to the right and left walls 310,314 for mounting the panel 302 to a standard telecommunications rack.The panel 302, in the depicted embodiment, includes a center divider 326that splits the panel 302 into a right half 328 and a left half 330.

In the given embodiment, the arrangement of the modules 300 on the righthalf 328 of the panel 302 mirrors the arrangement on the left half 330of the panel 302. As such, in the depicted example, panel 302 includestwelve modules 300 in a stacked arrangement from the bottom to the topside of the panel 302 at the left half 330 of the panel 302 and twelvemodules 300 in a stacked arrangement at the right half 328 of the panel302.

As will be described in further detail below, the connection modules 300include certain features that are similar to the modules 20 describeabove. However, the connection modules 300 are configured such that ifconnection locations of the modules need to be accessed from a front end304 of the panel 302, a front handle 332 must be pulled (and pushed inretraction of the module 300) from the front end 304 of the panel 302,and if the connection locations of the modules 300 need to be accessedfrom a rear end 306 of the panel 302, a rear handle 334 of theconnection modules 300 must be pulled (and pushed in retraction of themodule 300) from the rear end 306 of the panel 302. As will be discussedin further detail below, each module 300 provides stop features suchthat the front handle 332 cannot be used to push the module 300 all theway to the rear end 306 where it can be accessed from the rear end 306,and that the rear handle 334 cannot be used to push the module 300 allthe way to the front end 304 where it can be accessed from the front end304 of the panel. Each of the front and rear handles 332, 334 can onlybe used to move the modules 300 from a neutral position to theirrespective sides and back to the neutral position.

FIGS. 26-32 illustrate a module 300 in isolation. Similar to the modules20 described above (with certain differences), each module 300 utilizesa three-piece slide assembly 336 that includes a rack and pinionarrangement 338 allowing the connection module 300 to be slidablebetween a retracted neutral and an extended position. By using athree-piece slide assembly 336 with a rack and pinion arrangement 338, acenter member 340 of the slide assembly 336 moves with respect to both amain frame member 342 and a rack mount member 344 of the connectionmodule 300. As discussed with respect to the previous embodiment 20, dueto the gear arrangement 338, the center member 340 moves at half thelinear speed that the main frame member 342 moves with respect to thestationary rack mount member 344.

Since the center member 340 moves while main frame member 342 is moving(at half the linear speed of the main frame member 342), the module 300is configured to manage the slack in the cables routed through themodule 300 as discussed previously.

The main frame member 342 of the module 300 is configured to provideconnection locations 346 for the module 300. Referring now to eachmodule 300 that is located at the left half 330 of the rack mounttelecommunications panel 302, for example, the main frame member 342 ofthe module 300 defines a dove-tail shaped longitudinal protrusion 348 ateach of the right and left sides 350, 352 thereof. For those modules 300that are at the left half 330 of the rack mount panel 302, at the leftside 352 of the main frame member 342, the dove-tail shaped longitudinalprotrusion 348 slides within a matching longitudinal groove 354 definedon the right side 356 of the center member 340. At the right side 350 ofeach main frame member 342, the dove-tail shaped longitudinal protrusion348 slides within one of a plurality of tracks 358 defined by the centerdivider 326 of the rack mount telecommunications panel 302. Thisconfiguration is reversed or mirrored for modules 300 that are at theright half 328 of the telecommunications panel 302. As such, the detailsof the modules 300 at the right half 328 of the telecommunications panel302 will not be discussed further, with the understanding that theconfiguration and the operation of the modules 300 on the right half 328of the panel 302 are similar to the configuration and the operation ofthe modules 300 on the left half 330 of the panel 302.

Regarding the modules 300 at the left half 330 of the panel 302, as inprevious modules 20 described above, the center member 340 slidesbetween the rack mount member 344 (which is stationarily mounted to thepanel 302) and the main frame member 342. The center member 340 definesa similar second longitudinal groove 360 on the left side 362 thereofthat slides over a longitudinal protrusion 364 defined by thestationarily mounted rack mount member 344, such that the center member340 can slide between the main frame member 342 and the rack mountmember 344.

Similar to the previous embodiments discussed, each of the longitudinalprotrusion 348 of the main frame member 342 and the longitudinalprotrusion 364 of rack mount member 344 defines a rack. The racks 370,372 in each of these members, respectively, meshes at the same time witha gear wheel 374 that is located within the center member 340. With sucha rack and pinion arrangement 338 of the slide assembly 336,synchronized slidable movement of the center member 340 and the mainframe member 342 is established, while the rack mount member 344 staysstationary.

Thus, by pulling and pushing the center member 340, a user can slidablypull and push the main frame member 342 at the same time at twice thespeed of the center member 340. Conversely, by moving the main framemember 342, the center member 340 also moves in the same direction asthe main frame member 342, at half the speed of the main frame member342 relative to the stationary rack mount member 344.

The synchronized movement of radius limiters of the center member 340and the main frame member 342 ensures that cables routed from theconnection locations 346 of the main frame member 342 do not bend toosharply when the main frame member 342 is being extended from orreturned to the neutral position. If the cables were to bend too sharplyor if the cables were stressed or pulled, loss of signal strength orloss of transmission may occur.

In the depicted embodiment of the rack mount telecommunications panel302, the rack mount member 344 of the modules 300 and the panel 302include complementary interlock features for mounting the rack mountmembers 344 to the telecommunications panel 302 with a snap-fitinterlock. In the depicted embodiment, each rack mount member 344defines a dove-tail shaped longitudinal protrusion 380 that is slidablyinserted into a dove-tail shaped longitudinal groove 382 defined by eachof the right and left walls 310, 314 of the telecommunications panel302. The longitudinal grooves 382 of the telecommunications panel 302extend from the front side to the rear side of the panel 302 and areconfigured to receive the rack mount members 344 in a direction along afront to back direction.

Each rack mount member 344 also defines an elastically flexiblecantilever arm 384 at the front and rear ends 386, 388 thereof, eachconfigured to form a snap-fit interlock with the right and left walls310, 314 of the panel. As shown in FIG. 25, when referring to, forexample, the modules 300 on the right half 328 of the panel, when eachrack mount member 344 is being slidably inserted into the longitudinalgroove 382 of the panel 302 in a direction from the front side to therear side of the panel 302, the cantilever arm 384 that is at the rear388 of the rack mount member 344 (the cantilever arm 384 that is locatedforwardly in the advancing direction) flexes slightly to allow thelongitudinal protrusion 380 of the rack mount member 344 to slidably fitwithin the groove 382 of the panel 302. When the rack mount member 344has been slid all the way, the flexible arm 384 at the rear 388 flexesback to snap over a portion of the right wall 310 of the panel 302. Theflexible cantilever arm 384 at the front end 386 of the rack mountmember 344 provides a stop and prevents further advancement of the rackmount member 344 within the longitudinal groove 382. When removing therack mount member 344 from the panel 302, depending upon which directionthe rack mount member 344 will be removed, one of the rear or frontflexible arms 384 must be flexed outwardly to clear the panel 302 beforethe rack mount member 344 can be slid in an opposite direction. The sameprocedure for inserting and removing rack mount members 344 can be usedfor rack mount members 344 that are on the left half 330 of the panel302. It will also be noted that the rack mount members 344 that are usedat the right side of the panel 302 can also be used on the left side ofthe panel 302 if they are flipped 180 degrees.

Referring specifically now to FIGS. 29-32, the configuration and theoperation of the center member 340 of the modules 300 will be described.

Referring to a module 300 that is, for example, oriented to be locatedat the left half 330 of the rack mount panel 302, the center member 340of the module 300 includes a base member 390, a cover member 392, and afront latch rod 394 and a rear latch rod 396. The cover member 392 isconfigured to be coupled to the base member 390 with snap-fitconnections, capturing the front and rear latch rods 394, 396therewithin.

When the center member 340 is initially in the neutral state in thepanel 302, it needs to be unlatched before it can be pulled to anextended state. As will be described in further detail, the front andrear latch rods 394, 396 are configured to cooperate in unlatching andlatching the center member 340 with respect to the stationary rack mountmember 344 for movement between the neutral position and the extendedposition. As also will be described in further detail, the front andrear latch rods 394, 396 also cooperate to ensure that the front handle332 cannot be used to push the module 300 all the way to the rear end ofthe panel 302 where it can be accessed from the rear end, and the rearhandle 334 cannot be used to push the module 300 all the way to thefront end of the panel 302 where it can be accessed from the front end,and that each of the front and rear handles 332, 334 can only be used tomove the modules 300 from a neutral position to their respective sidesand back to the neutral position.

Still referring to FIGS. 29-32, the front latch rod 394 includes a frontend 398 and a rear end 400. At the front end 398 of the front latch rod394 is the handle 332 that is used to pull the center member 340 from aneutral position to an extended position and is used to push the centermember 340 from the extended position back to the neutral position. Thehandle 332 is positioned and slidably rides within a slot 402 defined atthe front end 404 of the base 390 of the center member 340. Similarly,the rear latch rod 396 also includes the handle 334 that is positionedand slidably rides within a slot 406 defined at the rear end 408 of thecover 392 of the center member 340. The handles 332, 334, as will bediscussed in further detail below, are configured for unlatching thecenter member 340 from the rack mount member 344 for moving the centermember 340 with respect to the rack mount member 344. As will bedescribed, for example, when the handle 332 at the front of the centermember 340 is used to unlatch the center member 340, the handle 332moves the front latch rod 394 slightly forwardly with respect to thebase 390 of the center member 340 in freeing up the center member 340from the rack mount member 344 to move the center member 340. When thehandle 332 is used to unlatch and push the center member 340 back to theneutral position, the handle 332 also moves the front latch 394 slightlyin the rearward direction in freeing up the center member 340 from therack mount member 344 to move the center member 340.

As shown in FIG. 29, at the rear end 400 of the front latch rod 394 is acrescent shaped cam groove 412. The cam groove 412 is configured toimpart movement to a floating plate 414 that includes a pin 416extending therethrough. The floating plate 414 is axially fixed withrespect to the base 390 of the center member 340. The floating plate 414resides and is configured to slidably ride within a slot 418 (similar toslot 446 on the base member 390 that receives another floating plate 426as shown in FIG. 29) defined on the base 390 of the center member 340along a direction extending between left and right. The floating plate414 is constrained from moving front or back with respect to the base390 of the center member 340 due to the slot 418.

The pin 416 of the floating plate 414 is configured to slide within thecam groove 412 such that floating plate 414 can move axially withrespect to the front latch rod 394 and also in a direction from right toleft with respect to the front latch rod 394.

Since the floating plate 414 is constrained axially with respect to thebase 390 of the center member 340 along a front to back direction bybeing housed within the slot 418, any movement of the base 390 of thecenter member 340 moves the floating plate 414 axially in the sameamount. As noted above, the front latch rod 394 is configured so that itcan move or float with respect to the base 390 to a certain extent tocam the floating plate 414 out of engagement with the rack mount member344. And, any axial movement of the floating plate 414 with respect tothe front latch rod 394 occurs within the cam groove 412 of the frontlatch rod 394, wherein the floating plate 414 is always constrained frommoving axially with respect to the base 390 due to being housed in theslot 418.

The rear latch rod 396 includes a similar configuration to the frontlatch rod 394. The rear latch rod 396 also includes the handle 334 at arear end 420 and a cam groove 422 adjacent a front end 424 thereof. Therear latch rod 396 includes a floating plate 426 with a pin 428extending therethrough that allows the rear latch rod 396 to act in asimilar fashion to the front latch rod 394.

The base 390 of the center member 340 also defines a gear housing 430.The gear wheel 374 of the rack/pinion arrangement 338 is located withinthe gear housing 430. As noted above, the gear wheel 374 includes gearteeth that are configured to simultaneously mesh with a first rack 372provided in the rack mount member 344 and a second rack 370 provided onthe main frame member 342.

As shown in FIGS. 29-32, the rack mount member 344 defines a front notch432, a rear notch 434, and an elongated middle notch 436. The notches432, 434, 436 of the rack mount member 344 are configured to interactwith the floating plates 414, 426 of the front and rear latch rods 394,396 in allowing movement of the center member 340 of the module 300 withrespect to the rack mounting member 344, as described below.

When the center member 340 (and thus the module 300) is in the neutralposition, the floating plate 414 of the front latch rod 394 ispositioned at a front edge 438 of the elongate middle notch 436, and thefloating plate 426 of the rear latch rod 396 is positioned at a rearedge 440 of the elongate middle notch 436 (please see FIGS. 30 and 30A).At this point, both of the floating plates 414, 426 are positioned atthe peaks 442 of the cam grooves 412, 422. It should be noted that thefront and rear latching rods 394, 396 can be spring loaded to positionthe floating plates 414, 426 at the peaks 442 of the cam grooves 412,422 as long as the floating plates 414, 426 have the clearance to moveinto the notches 432, 434, 436 defined on the rack mount member 344. Inone example embodiment, a spring can engage the floating plates 414, 426directly and bias the plates 414, 426 in a direction from the right toleft to cause the plates 414, 426 to fit into the notches 432, 434, 436when the plates 414, 426 are aligned with any of the notches 432, 434,436. In other embodiments, springs could be positioned axially withinthe front and rear latch rods 394, 396 to cause the latch rods 394, 396to move until the latch rods 394, 396 position the floating plates 414,426 into any of the nearby notches 432, 434, 436.

Still referring to FIGS. 29, 30 and 30A, in the neutral position, whenboth of the floating plates 414, 426 are positioned within the middlenotch 436, pulling on the front handle 332 starts to move the floatingplate 414 from left to right out of the elongate middle notch 436 of therack mount member 344. This is caused by the pin 416 encountering thecam profile of the cam groove 412 and moving to a lower point along thegroove 412 at the rear end 444 of the groove 412. At this point, thefront latch rod 394 has floated slightly forwardly with respect to thebase 390 of the center member 340.

As the pin 416 of the floating plate 414 contacts the rear end 444 ofthe cam groove 412, the front latch 394 stops floating within the base390 and starts moving the base 390 therewith. The rear latch rod 396,which is axially engaged with the base 390 of the center member 340through the floating plate 426 within a slot 446, starts moving with thebase 390. Since the rear floating plate 426 is riding along the elongatenotch 436, the pin 428 of the rear floating plate 426 simply stays atthe peak 442 of the rear cam groove 422.

Referring now to FIGS. 29, 31, and 31A, when the floating plate 414 ofthe front latch rod 394 encounters the front notch 432 of the rack mountmember 344, the plate 414 is spring biased into the notch 432, providinga stop point to indicate to a user that the module 300 is at an extendedposition. At this point, the floating plate 426 of the rear latch rod396 has encountered the front edge 438 of the elongate notch 436 of therack mount member 344. Any more pull on the front handle 332 at thispoint will move the front latch rod 394 slightly within the base 390until the pin 416 of the front floating plate 414 contacts the rear end444 of the crescent cam groove 412 and the front latch rod 394 willstart to move together with the base 390. However, since the base 390 isaxially fixed with respect to the rear floating plate 426 via the slot446, and the rear floating plate 426 is contacting the front edge 438 ofthe elongate notch 436, the base 390 cannot be pulled any further withrespect to the rack mount member 344. Thus, the rear floating plate 426and the front edge 438 of the elongate middle notch 436 cooperativelyact as a stop feature for the extended position of the module 300.

When the front handle 332 is used to push the center member 340 back toa retracted neutral position, a rearward push on the handle 332 slightlyfloats the front latch rod 394 with respect to the base 390. The pin 416of the floating plate 414 starts to encounter the cam profile of the camgroove 412 and starts moving the floating plate 414 rightward out of thefront notch 432 of the rack mount member 344. The pin 416 of thefloating plate 414, once it contacts a front end 450 of the cam groove412, stops the floating of the front latch rod 394 with respect to thebase 390 of the center member 340 and starts to move the base 390 withthe front latch rod 394. This is, again, due to the front floating plate414 being within the slot 418 and not being axially movable with respectto the base 390.

At this point, since the entire base 390 is moving and since the rearfloating plate 426 is still within the elongate slot 436 and is able tomove freely, the rear latch rod 396 also moves with the base member 390.The rear floating plate 426 slides along the elongate middle notch 436until the front floating plate 436 reaches the front edge 438 of themiddle elongate notch 436 and the rear floating plate 426 encounters therear edge 440 of the middle notch 436. The front floating plate 414 isthen biased back into the middle notch 436 in a right to left direction.This provides an indication to the user that the module 300 is now inthe neutral retracted position.

As noted previously, the front and rear latch rods 394, 396 cooperate toensure that the front handle 332 cannot be used to push the module 300all the way to the rear side of the panel 302 where it can be accessedfrom the rear side and that the rear handle 334 cannot be used to pushthe module 300 all the way to the front side of the panel 302 where itcan be accessed from the front side. Each of the front and rear handles332, 334 can only be used to move the modules 300 from a neutralposition to their respective sides and back to the neutral position.

This is accomplished because the floating plates 414, 426 are bothconstrained axially with respect to the base 390 of the center member340 along a front to back direction by being housed within theirrespective slots 418, 436. Any movement of the base 390 of the centermember 340 moves the floating plates 414, 426 axially in the sameamount. The floating plates 414, 426 can only move axially with respectto the front latch rod 394 or the rear latch rod 396 as the front latchrod 394 and the rear latch rod 396 float within the base 390 of thecenter member 340.

Thus, when the center member 340 is in the neutral position, any push onthe front handle 332 will either move the handle 332 slightly until itcontacts the end of the slot 402 defined at the front 404 of the base390 or move the front latch rod 394 within the base 390 slightly untilthe pin 416 of the floating plate 414 contacts the front end 450 of thecam groove 412. When this occurs, the front latch rod 394 will no longerfloat within the base 390 and the two will have to start movingtogether. Since the base member 390 does not move axially with respectto the floating plates 414, 426 (due to, for example, the rear floatingplate 426 being within the slot 436 defined on the base 390), anyfurther pushing on the handle 332 of the front latch rod 394, and thuson the center member 340, is prevented the due to the rear floatingplate 426 being in contact with the rear edge 440 of the elongate notch436 of the rack mount member 344. In this manner, the front handle 332cannot be used to push the module 300 all the way to the rear side ofthe panel 302 where it can be accessed from the rear side of the panel302.

In the depicted embodiment, as described above, the base 390, the frontlatch rod 394, the rear latch rod 396, and the cover 392 of the centermember 340 are arranged such that the rear handle 334 is configured toride within a slot 406 defined on the cover 392, and the front handle332 is configured to ride within a slot 402 defined on the base 390 ofthe center member 340.

The mechanism described above operates in the opposite manner forpulling and pushing the rear handle 334 of the center member 340 foraccessing the connection modules 300 from a rear side of the panel 302.The position of the front and rear floating plates 414, 426 within themiddle and rear notches 436, 438 of the rack mount member 344 areillustrated in FIGS. 32 and 32A when the module 300 is extendedrearwardly.

Similar to the embodiment described previously, even though the base 390and the cover 392 of the center member are depicted as being coupledtogether with snap-fit interlocks via tabs 452 and recesses 454, othertypes of coupling arrangements may be used. For example, threadedfasteners may be used.

As in the previous embodiment of the module, at each of the front andrear ends 454, 456 of the center member is located a cable managementstructure 458. The cable management structure 458 defines a spool 460and a pair of cable management fingers 462. Along with the handle 332,334 and the spool 460, the cable management fingers 462 define a cablepath 464 for fiber optic cables coming from or going to the main framemember 342. For those modules 300 that are located at the left half 330of the rack mount panel 302, once cables are lead around the spool 460,they are guided outwardly away from the left side of the panel 302.

It should be noted that cables from both the front and the back ends466, 468 of the main frame member 342 are guided around a spool 460located at each of the ends 454, 456 of the center member 340 and leadaway from the panel 302.

For the modules 300 that are at the left half 330 of the panel 302, forexample, when the center member 340 moves, moving the main frame member342 therewith, cables coming from the main frame member 342 that arerouted around the spools 460 at each end 454, 456 of the center member340 maintain a generally uniform length as they extend to the left sideof the panel.

As discussed previously, while the front end 466 of the main framemember 342 moves toward the front side of the panel 302, the front end454 of the center member 340 and thus the spool 460 located at the frontend 454 of the center member 340 also moves simultaneously with the mainframe member 342, taking up any slack in the cable. Similarly, at thesame time, while the rear end 468 of the main frame member 342 movestoward the front side of the panel 302, the rear end 456 of the centermember 340, and thus the spool 460 located at the rear end 456 of thecenter member 340, moves simultaneously in the same direction, reducingany pull or tension on the cable routed through the main frame member342.

The slide assembly 336 functions in the same manner when the main framemember 342 is moved in the rearward direction for accessing connectionlocations 346 from a rear side of the panel 302 by pulling the handle334 at the rear end 456 of the center member 340.

Referring back to FIGS. 26-28, the main frame member 342 is illustrated.Similar to the modules 20 described above and referring again to themodules 300 located at the left half 330 of the panel 302 for reference,the main frame member 342 includes a right wall 470 and a left wall 472.The right wall 470 defines the longitudinal protrusion 348 allowing themain frame member 342 to be slidably coupled to the divider 326 at thecenter of the telecommunications panel 302. The left wall 472 includes asimilar longitudinal protrusion 348 for sliding within the center member340. As noted above, each of the longitudinal protrusions 348 of theright wall 470 and the left wall 472 may define a dovetail shapedprofile for slidable insertion into dovetail shaped longitudinal groove354 of the center member 340 and longitudinal track 358 defined on thecenter divider 326 of the telecommunications panel 302 as shown in FIG.25.

The longitudinal protrusion 348 on the left wall 472 of the main framemember 342, as noted above, also defines the second rack 370 for meshingwith the gear 374 located within the center member 340.

As discussed previously, by meshing with both the first rack 372 on therack mount member 344 and the second rack 372 on the main frame member342 at the same time, the gear 374 located on the center member 340allows the center member 340 to move at half linear speed simultaneouslywith the main frame member 342 in the same direction.

The main frame member 342 is configured to provide fiber opticconnection locations 346 for the connection module 300. By stacking aplurality of the modules 300 on both halves 328, 330 of the rack mounttelecommunications panel 302, density of connections for fiber optictransmission can be increased and the slidability of the modules 300 ineither the front direction or the back direction provides for easyaccess at both the front side or the rear side of the panel 302.

As shown in FIGS. 26-28, the depicted version of the main frame member342 includes a mount 474 for mounting fiber optic adapters 476 whichdefine the fiber optic connection locations 346 in this embodiment ofthe module 300. In the depicted embodiment, the mount 474 is defined bya first interlock structure 478 on the right wall 470 that definesdove-tail shaped protrusions and a second interlock structure 480 on theleft wall 472 that defines dove-tail shaped grooves. The first andsecond interlock structures 478, 480 are configured to receive fiberoptic adapter blocks 482, 484 having complementary shapes to the firstand second interlock structures 478, 480. For example, a first fiberoptic adapter block 482 shown in FIG. 28 includes dove-tail shapedprotrusions 486 on a left wall 488 thereof for slidable insertion intothe second interlock structure 480 and dove-tail shaped grooves 490 onthe right wall 492 thereof for slidably coupling to a second adapterblock 484 with similar interlocking features. The second adapter block484 defines dove-tail shaped protrusions 494 on the left wall 496thereof, where it can be mated with the first adapter block 482 anddove-tail shaped grooves 498 on the right wall 500 thereof that can matewith the first interlock structure 478 of the main frame member 342. Inthis manner, two adapter blocks 482, 484 can be aligned and slidablyinterlocked and engaged with the main frame member 342. In the examplemodule 300 shown and described in the present application, the fiberoptic connection locations 346 are defined by the first adapter block482 having adapters 476 with an LC type footprint. The second adapterblock 484 that is slidably mated with the first adapter block 482defines adapters 476 having an SC type footprint.

The slidable mounting of the adapter blocks 482, 484 provides theadvantage of being able to replace the entire connection module 300without disturbing the connections that are being routed through theconnection locations 346 of the main frame member 342. The adapterblocks 482, 484 can simply be slid out and provide clearance forreplacing the module 300.

In the depicted embodiments, twelve LC adapters 476 are provided on eachblock 482. The main frame member 342 is configured such that anotherblock 482 of twelve LC adapters 476 can be mounted side by side with thefirst block 482 such that twenty-four connections can be provided oneach module 300. With the panel 302 populated with twelve modules 300 atthe left half 330 and twelve modules 300 at the right half 328, thetelecommunications panel 302 can include up to 576 fiber opticconnections if LC type adapters 476 are used.

In the embodiment shown, if an SC type footprint is used, each module300 can accommodate up to twelve connections.

It should be noted that the connection modules 300 can be used with asingle standard or mixed standards of adapters 476 and connectors asshown in FIG. 28. Fiber optic adapters 476 are only one type of fiberoptic equipment that provides connection locations 346 for the module300, and the module 300 can be used with other types of fiber opticequipment. For example, equipment such as fiber optic splitters,couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, or other types of equipment,wherein cables may be routed away from the connection locations 346, maybe housed on the main frame member 342.

If fiber optic adapters 476 are used, the connection locations 346 maybe defined by adapters 476 individually mounted in the mount 474 or maybe defined by blocks that include integrally formed adapters 476 such asthose shown in FIG. 28. In other embodiments, the connection locations346 may be in the form of a cassette that includes fiber optic adapterson one side, wherein the opposite side either has a multi-fiberconnector or a cable extending outwardly therefrom, as described infurther detail in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/544,987,entitled FIBER OPTIC CASSETTE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD, filed on Oct. 7, 2011and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As long as a plurality of fiber optic cables or even a single fiberoptic cable is being routed from the main frame member 342, around theradius limiters 460 of the center member 340, the slide assembly 336 ofthe module 300 provides access to those fiber optic terminations whilemanaging the cable slack to prevent pinching and preventing pulling orstressing of the cables.

Similar to the embodiment of the module 20 discussed previously, a firstcable management structure 502 is defined adjacent the left wall 472 atthe front 466 of the main frame member 342. A second cable managementstructure 504 is also defined adjacent the left wall 472 at the rear 468of the main frame member 342. Each of the first and second cablemanagement structures 502, 504 includes a radius limiter 506 and a cablemanagement finger 508 that define cable paths 510 for guiding cablesfrom connection locations 346 toward ends 454, 456 of the center member340.

Referring now to FIGS. 25, 28, and 33-36, the panel 302 defines a pairof doors 512 (one at the front side of the panel 302 and one at the rearside of the panel 302) for each of the modules 300 mounted on the panel302. Each door 512 is pivotally coupled to a hinge structure 514 locatedgenerally at the center of the panel 302, defined by each of the frontand rear ends of the center divider 326. A first hinge structure 514 ais located at the front of the panel 302 for the front doors 512 a, anda second hinge structure 514 b is located at the rear of the panel 302for the rear doors 512 b.

Each door 512 is spring loaded and biased to be in a closed position. Aswill be discussed in further detail below, the doors 512 are temporarilylocked in the closed position by the main frame members 342 of themodules 300 and are allowed to be opened by the movement of the mainframe members 342 from a neutral position to an extended position.

As shown in FIGS. 33-36, each of the cable management structures 502,504 of the main frame member 342 defines a lock tab 516 that isconfigured to snap fit within a lock groove 518 of the door 512.Referring to a module 300 that is at the left half 330 of the panel 302for reference, when the main frame member 342 is at the retractedneutral position, the lock tab 516 is within the lock groove 518,keeping the door 512 in a closed position (please see FIG. 33). Once themain frame member 342 is started to initially move toward the extendedposition, a cam surface 520 defined by a wall 522 of the radius limiter506 that is on the opposite side from the cable path 510, starts to abuta wall 524 defined adjacent the lock groove 518 of the door 512 andstarts pivoting the door 512 outwardly from the panel 302 (please seeFIG. 34). Once the cam surface 520 has advanced the door 512 far enoughto clear the lock tab 516 out of the lock groove 518 of the door 512,the right wall 470 of the main frame member 342 starts to contact thedoor 512 and completely pivot it to an open position (please see FIG.35). The door 512 is shown in an initially closed position in FIG. 33.In FIG. 34, the main frame member 342 is starting to slide, and the camsurface 520 of the radius limiter 506 is starting to advance the door512 so as to move the lock tab 516 out of the lock groove 518 of thedoor 512. In FIG. 35, the door 512 is seen as being contacted by theright wall 470 of the main frame member 342 to pivot it to a fully openposition. In FIG. 36, the door 512 is shown in a fully open position.

When the main frame member 342 is moved to the neutral retractedposition, the spring biasing the door 512 to the closed position pivotsthe door 512 to the closed position. When the door 512 is fully closed,the lock tab 516 ends up within the lock groove 518 of the door 512, notallowing the door 512 to be opened until the main frame member 342 ofthe module 300 is slidably pulled forwardly.

Referring now to FIG. 37, a main frame member 600 of another embodimentof a connection module having features that are examples of inventiveaspect in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure isillustrated. Except for the differences which will be highlightedhereafter, the main frame member 600 includes features similar to andoperates in a similar manner to the main frame member 342 describedabove and shown in FIGS. 25-36. The main frame member 600 is configuredto be part of a connection module that can be mounted on a rack mounttelecommunications panel such as panel 302 described above and shown inFIG. 25. The main frame member 600 is configured to be coupled to therack mount telecommunications panel through a three-piece slide assemblythat also includes a rack mount member and a center member, wherein themain frame member 600 is configured to move at twice the speed of thecenter member with respect to the rack mount member due to a rack andpinion arrangement.

Still referring to FIG. 37, the main frame member 600 defines a frontwall 602 and a rear wall 604. The front and rear walls 602, 604 extendbetween a right wall 606 and a left wall 608. A center divider 610 alsoextends from the front wall 602 to the rear wall 604. As in main framemember 342 described above, the right wall 606 of the main frame member600 defines a longitudinal protrusion 612 allowing the main frame member600 to be slidably coupled to the telecommunications panel 302. The leftwall 608 includes a similar longitudinal protrusion 612 for slidingwithin the center member of the connection module. As in the previousembodiments, each of the longitudinal protrusions 612 of the right wall606 and the left wall 608 may define a dovetail shaped profile forslidable insertion into a dovetail shaped longitudinal groove of thecenter member and a longitudinal track defined on the telecommunicationspanel.

The longitudinal protrusion 612 on the left wall 608 of the main framemember 600, as noted for previous embodiments, also defines a rack 614for meshing with the gear located within the center member (see FIG.39).

As discussed previously, by meshing with both a first rack on the rackmount member and a second rack 614 on the main frame member at the sametime, the gear assembly located on the center member allows the centermember of the module to move at half linear speed simultaneously withthe main frame member 600 in the same direction.

The main frame member 600 is configured to provide fiber opticconnection locations 616 for the connection module. As discussed above,by stacking a plurality of the modules on both halves of the rack mounttelecommunications panel, density of connections for fiber optictransmission can be increased and the slidability of the modules ineither the front direction or the back direction provides for easyaccess at both the front side or the rear side of the panel.

Similar to the embodiment of the modules discussed previously, a firstcable management structure 618 is defined adjacent the left wall 608 atthe front of the main frame member 600. A second cable managementstructure 620 is also defined adjacent the left wall 600 at the rear ofthe main frame member 600. Each of the first and second cable managementstructures 618, 620 includes a radius limiter 622 and a cable managementfinger 624 that defines a cable path 626 for guiding cables fromconnection locations 616 toward ends of the center member of the module.

As shown in FIG. 37, the depicted version of the main frame member 600includes a first interlock structure 628 on the left wall 608, a secondinterlock structure 630 on the center divider 610, and a third interlockstructure 632 on the right wall 606 of the main frame member 600 formounting equipment for providing fiber optic connection locations 616for the module. The first interlock structure 628 defines a groove 634and a flexible tab 636. The flexible tab 636 defines a ramped finger637, a portion of which extends at least partially into the groove 634.The third interlock structure 632 on the right wall 606 of the mainframe member 600 includes the same configuration as the first interlockstructure 628. The second interlock structure 630 on the center divider610 is configured for cooperating with both the first interlockstructure 628 of the left wall 608 and the third interlock structure 632of the right wall 606 in receiving telecommunications equipment thatprovides connection locations 616. As such, the second interlockstructure 630 defines a groove 638 having twice the width as the grooves634 of the first and the third interlock structures 628, 632.

As will be described in further detail below and as noted previously,the first, second, and third interlock structures 628, 630, 632 areconfigured to receive equipment such as fiber optic adapter blocks 640having mounting structures with complementary shapes to those of thefirst, second, and third interlock structures 628, 630, 632. Forexample, a fiber optic adapter block 640 that may be mounted on the mainframe member 600 is shown in FIGS. 72 and 73. In the depicted embodimentof the main frame member 600, two such fiber optic adapter blocks 640may be mounted in a side-by-side configuration, wherein one adapterblock 640 extends between the left wall 608 and the center divider 610and the second block 640 extends between the center divider 610 and theright wall 606.

Referring now to the example fiber optic adapter block 640 shown inFIGS. 72 and 73, on each of the right and left sides 642, 644 of theadapter block 640 is provided a dovetail shaped mounting structure 646.Each of the dovetail mounting structures 646 is configured to beslidably inserted into the grooves 634, 638 defined by the first,second, and third interlock structures 628, 630, 632 of the main framemember 600. Since the second interlock structure 630 of the main framemember 600 defines a groove 638 having twice the width of the grooves634 of the first and third interlock structures 628, 632, dovetailmounting structures 646 of two adapter blocks 640 can fit in aside-by-side arrangement into the groove 638 of the second interlockstructure 630. The flexible tabs 636 of the first and third interlockstructures 628, 632 are configured to elastically flex and snap backinto position when receiving the dovetail mounting structures 646 of theadapter blocks 640, with the ramped finger 637 retaining the adapterblocks 640 when received therein.

As noted previously, the slidable mounting of the adapter blocks 640provides the advantage of being able to replace either the blocks 640themselves or the entire connection module without disturbing theconnections that are being routed through the connection locations 616of the main frame member 600. If the entire module needs to be replaced,the adapter blocks 640 can simply be slid out and provide clearance forreplacing the module.

In the depicted embodiments, twelve LC type adapters 650 are provided oneach block 640. The depicted main frame member 600 is configured suchthat two blocks 640 having twelve LC adapters 650 each can be mountedside by side providing a total of twenty-four connections on eachmodule. With a telecommunications panel such as the panel 302 shown inFIG. 25 populated with twelve modules at the left half and twelvemodules at the right half, up to 576 fiber optic connections can beprovided if LC type adapters 650 are used.

In the embodiment shown, if an SC type footprint is used, each mainframe member 600 can accommodate up to twelve connections.

The adapter block 640 illustrated in FIGS. 72 and 73 defines a generallyone-piece molded body 652 that defines a plurality of integrally formedadapters 650 (LC format in the depicted example) for opticallyconnecting fiber optic cables terminated with connectors. Each of theadapter blocks 640 defines a plurality of adapters 650 provided in astacked arrangement in a longitudinal direction D, such as from a rightside to a left side of the adapter block 640, wherein every otheradapter 650 of the block of adapters is staggered in a transversedirection T, such as in a front to back direction with respect to anadjacent adapter 650 for facilitating finger access. The adapter blocks640 shown in FIGS. 72 and 73 are similar in configuration to adapterblocks described and shown in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/587,245, entitled FIBER OPTIC ADAPTER BLOCK, filed on Jan. 17,2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference. Thus, further details of the adapter blocks 640 will not bedescribed herein.

As noted previously, fiber optic adapters 650 are only one type of fiberoptic equipment that may provide connection locations 616 for themodule, and the module can be used with other types of fiber opticequipment. For example, equipment such as fiber optic splitters,couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, or other types of equipment,wherein cables may be routed away from the connection locations, may behoused on the main frame member 600.

In yet other embodiments, the connection locations 616 may be providedby telecommunications equipment in the form of a cassette that includesfiber optic adapters 650 on one side, wherein the opposite side eitherhas a multi-fiber connector or a cable extending outwardly therefrom, asdescribed in further detail in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/544,987, entitled FIBER OPTIC CASSETTE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD, filed onOct. 7, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In FIGS. 38-49, an example of a fiber optic cassette 660 that has a pairof the fiber optic adapter blocks 640 mounted on one side and a pair ofmulti-fiber connectors 662 extending from the opposite side is shown asbeing mounted on the main frame member 600. In FIGS. 50-71, anotherexample of a fiber optic cassette 760 that has a pair of the fiber opticadapter blocks 640 mounted on one side and a pair of cables 762extending outwardly from the opposite side is shown as being mounted onthe main frame member 600.

Now referring back to FIGS. 72 and 73, each adapter block 640 defines aramped tab 654 adjacent the dovetail mounting structure 646 on each ofthe right and left sides 642, 644 of the adapter block 640. As will bediscussed in further detail below, the ramped tabs 654 allow the adapterblocks 640 to be snap-fit and become part of telecommunicationsequipment such as the fiber optic cassette 660 of FIGS. 38-49 or thefiber optic cassette 760 of FIGS. 50-71. The ramped tabs 654 arepositioned and configured such that they allow the adapter blocks 640 tobe mounted directly to the main frame member 600 if desired via thedovetail mounting structures 646. Or, the tabs 654 allow the adapterblocks 640 to be first snap-fit to the fiber optic cassettes 660, 760and then mounted to the main frame member 600 as part of the fiber opticcassettes 660, 760 using the same dovetail mounting structures 646 ofthe adapter blocks 640.

Now referring to FIGS. 38-49, the fiber optic cassette 660 is shown infurther detail. The fiber optic cassette 660 includes a body 664defining an open front 666, a rear wall 668, a pair of sidewalls 670,672 (i.e., right and left sidewalls), a bottom wall 674, and a top inthe form of a removable cover 676, all defining an interior 678 of thecassette 660.

Cassette body 664 defines a cable entry location 680 which in theillustrated embodiment is along the rear wall 668. A pair of MPO styleconnectors 662 coming from an exterior of the cassette 660 are coupledto a pair of MPO style connectors 662 through a pair of adapters 682 atthe cable entry location 680. The adapters 682 are provided in astaggered arrangement along the longitudinal direction D forfacilitating finger access.

As shown, each of the connectorized cables 684 extending outwardly fromthe cassette 660 includes a boot 686 to provide strain relief at cableentry location 680.

As shown, two of the adapter blocks 640 are configured to be snap-fit tothe cassette 660 in a side-by-side configuration at the open front 666thereof, closing the front 666 of the cassette 660. The bottom wall 674of the cassette body 664 defines a front end 688 that matches thestaggered configuration of the adapters 650 of the adapter block 640.

Once coupled, the adapters 650 of the blocks 640 are stacked along thelongitudinal axis D. The cables 684 at cable entry location 680 extendparallel to the longitudinal axis D, although some bending is permittedrelative to the longitudinal axis D.

In general, the top defined by the cover 676 and the bottom wall 674 ofthe cassette 660 are generally parallel to each other and define themajor surfaces of cassette body 664. Sidewalls 670, 672, front 666, andrear wall 668 define the minor sides of cassette body 664. The cassette660 can be oriented in any position, so that the top and bottom surfacescan be reversed, or positioned vertically, or at some other orientation.

In the interior 678, LC connectorized cables that are broken out fromeach internal MPO connector 662 are lead toward the front 666 of thecassette 660 and coupled to the rears 692 of the LC adapters 650 of eachadapter block 640, wherein they can mate with LC connectors 651 coupledat the fronts 694 of the LC adapters 650.

As shown in FIGS. 40, 44, and 46, the front end 677 of the cover 676 ofthe cassette 660 is notched to accommodate the latches 653 of the innerLC connectors 651. The notches 679 of the cover 676 also provide avisual indication to the exterior of the cassette 660 which adapters 650have been populated. Since a number of LC connector manufacturersprovide their connectors in different colors to indicate differentproperties of the connections, being able to visually see the differenttypes of LC connectors 651 through the cover 676 may also assist atechnician in determining to which telecommunicationsmanufacturers/providers the populated connections belong and the typesof the populated connections.

Referring now, for example, to FIG. 109, the main frame member 600, thenotched front end 677 of the cover 676 of the cassette, and thetelecommunications panel 302 to which the main frame member 600 isslidably mounted are configured such that when the module is pulled allthe way out of the panel 302 (with the door 512 pivoted all the wayout), the cassette 660 extends out of the panel 302 just enough to beable to see the different colors of the latches of the inner LCconnectors 651 from an exterior. In this manner, when a technician pullsout one of the modules, the positioning of the cassette 660 on the mainframe member and the positioning of the notched front end 677 of thecover 676 on the cassette are such that visual identification of thecolors is possible without having to remove the module from the panel302. The positioning of the notches of the front end 677 of the cover676 of the cassette 660 relative to the panel 302 is shown in FIG. 109from a top perspective view to illustrate this advantage.

This feature may be used on all of the embodiments of themodules/cassettes noted in the present application. Main frame member600 and the panel 302 are used as an exemplary embodiment to describeand illustrate this feature and should not be used to limit the scope ofthe disclosure.

Disposed within interior 678 of cassette body 664 are a plurality ofradius limiters 696 which provide cable bend radius protection for thefibers disposed within interior. Cable radius limiters 696 can be in theform of discrete interior structures, and/or curved exterior surfaceswhich form around the front, rear wall, and side walls.

Removable cable retention fingers 698 may also be provided for retainingcables within the interior 678 of the cassette 660. Each cable retentionfinger 698 defines an L-shaped configuration, wherein a mounting portion697 is removably received within a pocket 700 defined around variousparts of the cassette 660, and a retaining portion 699 extends towardthe interior 678 of the cassette body 664.

Fibers may be provided with excess length between the interior MPOconnectors 662 and the inner LC connectors 651 coupled to the rears 692of the adapters 650. Severe bending of the fibers is to be avoided. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the small size of the cassette 660 mayrequire that some fibers reverse direction.

As noted above, the adapter blocks 640 are configured such that they canbe snap-fit to the cassette body 664 and also be mounted to the mainframe member 600 as part of the cassette 660. The ramped tabs 654adjacent the dovetail mounting structures 646 snap into openings 702provided on the right and left sidewalls 670, 672 and at a centerdivider wall 671 at the front 666 of cassette body 664. The right andleft sidewalls 670, 672 of the cassette body 664 are elasticallyflexible in receiving the ramped tabs 654. On each side of each adapterblock 640, a protrusion 704 that is above the ramped tab 654 alsoprovides a guiding effect in sliding the ramped tab 654 into theopenings 702 and sits on top of a front portion of the cassette 660after the adapter block 640 has been snap-fit thereto, as shown in FIG.41.

Once the adapter blocks 640 have been snap-fit to the cassette 660, thedovetail mounting structures 646 are used to slide the adapter blocks640 and thus the cassette 660 into the first, second, and thirdinterlocking structures 628, 630, 632 of the main frame member 600 asnoted above.

The fiber optic cassette 660 also includes certain structures that areused to key and couple the cassette 660 to the main frame member 600 inaddition to the mounting structures 646 provided by the adapter blocks640. For example, as shown in FIGS. 43, 45, 47, and 49, the cassette 660defines a pair of protrusions 706 extending from the bottom wall 674thereof, adjacent the rear of the cassette 660, that are configured tosnap into openings 708 in the front wall 602 and the rear wall 604 ofthe main frame member 600 (shown in FIG. 37). Depending upon whichorientation the cassette 660 is being used, either the openings 708 onthe front wall 602 or the openings 708 on the rear wall 604 of the mainframe member 600 are utilized. In the depicted embodiment of FIGS.38-49, the rear wall 604 of the main frame member 600 is used formounting the cassette 660. It should also be noted that each of thefront wall 602 and the rear wall 604 defines a gentle curvature that ismatched by a bottom portion 710 of the cassette 660 surrounding the pairof protrusions 706, as shown in FIGS. 45, 47, and 49. The bottom wall674 of the cassette 660 also defines a notch 712 extending in a front toback direction for accommodating the center divider 610 of the mainframe member 600 when the cassette 660 is mounted thereto.

A similar snap-fit structure in the form of protrusions 706 extendingfrom the bottom wall 674 of the cassette body 664 and also the notch 712for accommodating the center divider 610 of the main frame member 600are also provided in the embodiment of the cassette 760 shown in FIGS.50-71.

Now referring to embodiment of the fiber optic cassette 760 of FIGS.50-71, the fiber optic cassette 760 is another piece oftelecommunications equipment that may be mounted to the main framemember 600 of FIG. 37 for providing connection locations 616 for themodule.

The fiber optic cassette 760 of FIGS. 50-71, as depicted, includes manyof the features of the cassette 660 of FIGS. 38-49, such as the adapterblock snap-fit features, cable management and retention features,features for mounting the cassette 760 to the main frame member 600 andalso cover features that accommodate the LC connector latches.

For example, FIGS. 64 and 66 are close-up views illustrating a rightramped tab 654 of an adapter block 640 snap-fit into an opening 764 onthe center divider wall 766 of the fiber optic cassette body 768. FIGS.65 and 67 illustrates a left ramped tab 654 of the adapter block 640snap-fit into an opening 764 on the left side wall 770 of the fiberoptic cassette body 768. FIG. 69 is a close-up cross-sectional viewillustrating the left ramped tab 654 of the left adapter block 640snap-fit into an opening 764 on the left side wall 770 of the fiberoptic cassette body 768. FIG. 70 is a close-up cross-sectional viewillustrating the right ramped tab 654 of the right adapter block 640 andthe left ramped tab 654 of the left adapter block 640 snap-fit into theopening 764 on the center divider wall 766 of the fiber optic cassettebody 768. FIG. 71 is a close-up cross-sectional view illustrating theright ramped tab 654 of the right adapter block 640 snap-fit into anopening 764 on the right side wall 772 of the fiber optic cassette body768.

In the version of the fiber optic cassette 760 of FIGS. 50-71, the fiberoptic signals are input or output from the cassette 760 via direct fiberoptic cables 762, rather than through connectorized cables. Cables 762entering the cassette 760 are connected to the cable entry location 780with a crimp tube 782 and a crimp ring 784 which crimps jacket andstrength member to crimp tube 782. A small pocket 786 captures the crimptubes 782 in a stacked arrangement for retention with cassette body 768.Pocket 786 captures hex end 788 of crimp tube 782 to retain cables 762with cassette body 768. As shown, the pocket 786 is provided in an insetportion 790 defined at the center of the right and left portions of therear wall 792 of the cassette 760. The portions of the rear wall 792surrounding the pocket 786 provide gradual curves 794 as the portionsextend from the pocket 786 to portions of the rear wall 792 that areparallel to the longitudinal axis D. Thus, when the cable 762 placed inthe pocket 786 is bent in either direction toward the right side or theleft side of the cassette 760, bend radius protection is provided withthe curved portions 794 of the rear wall 792. This provides a built-inbend radius protection structure that may eliminate the need for aseparate boot for each of the cables 762.

The interior 796 of the cassette body 768 generally defines twoseparately identifiable chambers 798, 800, each one including a radiuslimiter 801 (e.g., in the form of a spool) with cable retention fingers802 extending therefrom. As shown in FIGS. 56-59, the optical fibers 804that are input into the cassette 760 through the bottom connectorizedcable 762 are lead to the right chamber 798 and the optical fibers 804input into the cassette 760 through the top connectorized cable 762 arelead to the left chamber 800 before being lead to the adapter blocks640.

As discussed previously, parts of the telecommunications equipmentdescribed herein, such as the high density distribution frame 10 or thetelecommunications panel 302, may be configured to relay physical layerinformation from one or more fiber optic connectors (e.g., connectors135, 651) received into the connection locations of the main framemembers (such as main frame member 26 of FIGS. 8-9, main frame member342 of FIGS. 26-28, or main frame member 600 of FIG. 37) to other partsof the distribution frame 10 or telecommunications panel 302.

As described previously, certain types of adapters that may form theconnection locations may be configured to collect physical layerinformation from one or more fiber optic connectors received thereat.For example, structures such as the fiber optic adapter blocks 482, 484,or 600 may include bodies configured to hold one or more media readinginterfaces that are configured to engage memory contacts on fiber opticconnectors inserted into the individual adapters of the blocks. One ormore media reading interfaces may be positioned in each adapter bodywithin the blocks. Certain types of media reading interfaces may includeone or more contact members that are positioned to engage memorycontacts on a fiber optic connector inserted within a slot of theadapter. Another portion of each such contact member may also extend outof the adapter slot to contact a circuit board that may be positioned onthe block body. Please refer to FIG. 23 for an example illustration ofan adapter configured to collect physical layer information from one ormore fiber optic connector received thereat. As will be described infurther detail below, portions of the main frame members, the centermembers, or the rack mount members may define conductive paths that areconfigured to connect the media reading interfaces of the adapters witha master circuit board located elsewhere on the distribution frame 10 orthe panel 302. The master circuit board may include or connect (e.g.,over a network) to a processing unit that is configured to managephysical layer information obtained by the media reading interfaces.

Referring now to FIGS. 29, 30, and 33-36, the main frame member 342, thecenter member 340, and the rack mount member 344 of thetelecommunications module 300 have been shown as including structuresforming part of a conductive path for relaying physical layerinformation from a connector mounted to the module to other portions ofthe telecommunications panel 302. It should be noted that the structuresused on the telecommunications module 300 that form the conductive pathscan be used on any of the telecommunications modules discussed hereinand that the module 300 is simply one representative example embodimentused to illustrate such features.

As shown in FIGS. 29, 30, and 33-36, the main frame member 342 and therack mount member 344 may include electrical connector locations 900(900 a, 900 b, 900 c, 900 d) defined thereon. As shown in FIG. 29 andFIGS. 33-36, an electrical cable 902 (e.g., a multi contact electricalcable) may extend from a connection location 900 b on the main framemember 342 to a connector location 900 c on the rack mount member 344.The cable, which has been illustrated diagrammatically in the drawings,according to one example embodiment, may be a flexible, flatribbon-type, multi-contact electrical cable. As shown in FIG. 29, thecable 902 that extends from the connection location 900 b may be nestedwithin the longitudinal groove 354 defined on the right side 356 of thecenter member. The cable 902 may extend from the longitudinal groove 354through a passage defined within the interior of the spool 460 of thecenter member 340 to the second longitudinal groove 360 on the left sideof the center member 340 (that also receives the longitudinal protrusion364 defined by the rack mount member 344). From within the longitudinalgroove 360, the cable 902 extends to connector location 900 c defined onthe rack mount member 344.

As shown in FIGS. 33-36, due to the three-piece slide assembly, when themain frame member 342 moves forwardly relative to the center member 340and also the rack mount member 344, the center member 340 also movesforwardly relative to the rack mount member 344 (at half the speed ofthe center member 342 relative to the rack mount member 344). Stated inan another way, when the main frame member 342 moves forwardly relativeto the center member 340, the rack mount member 344 moves rearwardlyrelative to the center member 340. In this manner, the cable 902 used toprovide the electrical pathway from connector location 900 b toconnector location 900 c can always maintain the same length, slidingwithin the spool 460 as needed. The slidable movement of the cable 902is shown in FIGS. 33-36.

The main frame member 342 may include internal electrically conductivestructures (i.e., integrally formed with or embedded therein) thatestablish electrically conductive paths from the connector location 900b to connector location 900 a that is provided on the mount 474.Similarly, the rack mount member 344 may include internal electricallyconductive structures that establish an electrical path from theconnector location 900 c to connector location 900 d.

The connector location 900 a is configured such that it can makeelectrical contact with conductive portions or contact portions (e.g.,on a circuit board) of an adapter block such as block 482, 484 or 640that may be mounted on the mount 474. As such, physical layerinformation from a connector mounted to an adapter block of the modulemay be relayed from the adapter block, through the mount 474, to theleft side of the rack mount member 344 via the cable 902.

Internal electrical conductive paths from the connector location 900 cto connector location 900 d relay the physical layer information that istransmitted via the cable 902. At connector location 900 d, theelectrical signals all the way from inserted fiber optic connectors maybe relayed to a master circuit board located elsewhere on the panel 302(e.g., at right wall 310 or at left wall 314). As noted above, themaster circuit board may include or connect (e.g., over a network) to aprocessing unit that is configured to manage physical layer informationobtained by the media reading interfaces.

Even though in one embodiment, the electrically conductive paths betweenconnector locations 900 a and 900 b and connector locations 900 c and900 d have been described as being provided by internal conductivestructures that may be integrally formed with or embedded into theportions of the main frame member 342 or the rack mount member 344, inother embodiments, the main frame member 342 and the rack mount member344 can be configured such that the electrically conductive paths areprovided by flexible cabling such as the cable 902. In such embodiments,the cabling extending between connector locations 900 a and 900 b andconnector locations 900 c and 900 d may be extensions of cable 902.

It should be noted that although an example electrical conductive pathhas been discussed with respect to the front side of the module 300, asimilar path including a cable 902 and connector locations 900 can beprovided at the rear side of the module.

Now referring to FIGS. 74-89, another embodiment of a fiber opticcassette 1000 is illustrated. The fiber optic cassette 1000 is anotherpiece of telecommunications equipment that may be mounted to the mainframe member 600 of FIG. 37 for providing connection locations 616 forthe module.

The fiber optic cassette 1000 of FIGS. 74-89, as depicted, shares manyof the features of the cassette 660 of FIGS. 38-49 and cassette 760 ofFIGS. 50-71, such as the adapter block snap-fit features, cablemanagement and retention features, features for mounting the cassette1000 to the main frame member 600 and also cover features thataccommodate the LC connector latches. In the depicted embodiment of thecassette 1000, the fiber optic signal entry and exit points are definedby the snap-in adapter blocks 640 at the front 1001 of the cassette body1002, rather than a cable entry point at the rear 1003 of the cassettebody 1002 as in the cassette 660 of FIGS. 38-49 and the cassette 760 ofFIGS. 50-71.

In addition to the shared features, the fiber optic cassette 1000 ofFIGS. 74-89 also includes additional features that will be described infurther detail below. For example, as shown in the exploded view of FIG.78, the interior 1004 of the cassette body 1002 generally defines twoseparately identifiable chambers 1006, each one including a cablemanagement structure in the form of a plurality of discrete posts 1008.The posts 1008 may be structures that are integrally molded with thebody 1002 of the fiber optic cassette 1000. In other embodiments, theposts 1008 may be removable structures. The plurality of discrete posts1008 are configured and positioned to resemble the shape of a circularspool structure such that an outer perimeter defined by the posts 1008still meets the minimum bend radius requirements for any cables that arerouted around the posts 1008. In addition to providing bend radiusprotection around the outer periphery of the posts 1008, the discrete,spaced-out configuration of the posts 1008 also allows any cabling to berouted through the region 1010 defined at the interior of the posts1008. Example cable routing configurations are shown in FIGS. 79-89,wherein cables 1012 can be routed around the posts 1008 or through theregion 1010 defined at the interior of the posts 1008.

As shown in FIG. 78, the fiber optic cassette 1000 also includesremovable cable retention fingers 1014 similar to fingers 698 of fiberoptic cassette 660 of FIGS. 38-49 and finger 802 of fiber optic cassette760 of FIGS. 50-71. The cable retention fingers 1014 provide additionalcable management for cables 1012 routed around and/or through the posts1008 within the cassette body interior 1004 as shown in FIGS. 79-89. Asshown in FIGS. 74-89, other integral portions of the cassette body 1002such as the rear wall 1016 or the side walls 1018 may provide cablemanagement features such as curved surfaces for meeting bend radiusrequirements.

Still referring to FIG. 78, the interior 1004 of the cassette body 1002defines a rear pocket 1020 behind the discrete posts 1008. As will bedescribed in further detail below, the pocket 1020 may be used to housefiber optic equipment 1022 (i.e., devices) within the cassette 1000,wherein fiber optic signals may be routed between the fiber opticequipment 1022 and the fiber optic adapters 650 of the adapter blocks640 at the front 1001 of the cassette 1000 (FIGS. 82-89). As also shownin FIGS. 79-81 and will be described in further detail, the fiber opticsignals may be routed from one connection point on the fiber opticequipment 1022, through the cassette body 1002, to another connectionpoint on the equipment 1022.

One example embodiment of a piece of fiber optic equipment 1022 that maybe used within the cassette 1000 are a plurality of thin film filters1024, as shown in the depicted embodiment of the cassette 1000 in FIGS.78-89. In other embodiments, other types of fiber optic equipment 1022,including fuse biconic couplers (such as fiber optic splitters,couplers, or equipment having monitoring circuitry), equipment havingplanar lightwave circuitry (PLC) such as splitters, or equipment such asmultiplexers/demultiplexers, can be used within the cassette 1000.

Depending upon the type of equipment 1022 used, the inputs and theoutputs for the fiber optic signals can be arranged differently. Forexample, depending upon the type of equipment 1022 used, the inputs andoutputs may be located on opposite sides of the device 1022 (e.g., rightside 1026 and left side 1028). For example, according to one exampleembodiment, the inputs for the device 1022 may be located at the rightside 1026 of the device 1022, and the outputs may be located at the leftside 1028 of the device 1022. The locations of the inputs and theoutputs can be interchanged, wherein the inputs may be located at theleft side 1028 of the device 1022, and the outputs located at the rightside 1026 of the device 1022.

If a plurality of smaller devices 1022 are used in a stacked arrangementsuch as the thin film filters 1024 shown in FIGS. 78-89, the inputs andthe outputs may be provided in an alternating arrangement between theright side 1026 and the left side 1028 from one filter 1024 to the next.

Also, in certain embodiments, as will be described in further detailbelow, the signals may simply extend from the fiber optic device 1022 toconnectors within the fiber optic adapters 650 at the front 1001 of thecassette 1000 without being routed back to the device 1022.

FIGS. 79-89 depict eleven different example cable routing configurationsthat may be used within the fiber optic cassette 1000. The elevenexample cable routing configurations are provided to illustrate the vastnumber of cable routing possibilities that may be used given thefeatures of the fiber optic cassette 1000 and are not intended to limitthe scope of the disclosure in any way. Other cable routingconfigurations are certainly possible and are contemplated by thepresent disclosure. Also, in the routing configurations shown in FIGS.79-89, only one or two representative cables 1012 have been used todemonstrate the routing possibilities, without populating all of theequipment connection locations.

FIG. 79 illustrates a first example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000, wherein a signal carrying cable 1012 is routedbetween a connection location 1027 at the right side 1026 of the device1022 and a connection location at the left side 1028 of the device 1022after extending around the cable management posts 1008.

FIG. 80 illustrates a second example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000, wherein a signal carrying cable 1012 is routed from aconnection location 1027 at the right side 1026 of the device 1022 toanother connection location 1027 at the same, right, side 1026 of thedevice 1022 after extending around the cable management posts 1008.

FIG. 81 illustrates a third example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000, wherein a signal carrying cable 1012 is routed from aconnection location 1027 at the left side 1028 of the device 1022 toanother connection location 1027 at the same, left side 1028 of thedevice 1022 after extending around the cable management posts 1008. Thisconfiguration is similar to that of FIG. 80, except for the change inthe orientation of the side.

FIG. 82 illustrates a fourth example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000, wherein signal carrying cables 1012 are routed from aconnection location 1027 at the right side 1026 of the device 1022 tofiber optic adapters 650 located generally to the left of the device1022 at the front 1001 of the cassette 1000.

FIG. 83 illustrates another example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000 similar to the configuration of FIG. 82, whereinsignal carrying cables 1012 are routed from a connection location 1027at the right side 1026 of the device 1022 to fiber optic adapters 650located generally to the left of the device 1022 at the front 1001 ofthe cassette 1000.

FIG. 84 illustrates a sixth example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000, wherein signal carrying cables 1012 are routed from aconnection location 1027 at the left side 1028 of the device 1022 tofiber optic adapters 650 located generally to the right of the device1022 at the front 1001 of the cassette 1000. This configuration issimilar to that of FIG. 82, except for the change in the orientation ofthe side.

FIG. 85 illustrates another example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000 similar to the configuration of FIG. 84, whereinsignal carrying cables 1012 are routed from a connection location 1027at the left side 1028 of the device to fiber optic adapters 650 locatedgenerally to the right of the device 1022 at the front 1001 of thecassette 1000. This configuration is similar to that of FIG. 83, exceptfor the change in the orientation of the side.

FIG. 86 illustrates an eighth example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000, wherein signal carrying cables 1012 are routed from aconnection location 1027 at the right side 1026 of the device 1022 tofiber optic adapters 650 located generally to the right of the device1022 at the front 1001 of the cassette 1000 after being routed aroundposts 1008 on both sides of the cassette 1000.

FIG. 87 illustrates another example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000 similar to the configuration of FIG. 86, whereinsignal carrying cables 1012 are routed from a connection location 1027at the right side 1026 of the device 1022 to fiber optic adapters 650located generally to the right of the device 1022 at the front 1001 ofthe cassette 1000 after being routed around posts 1008 on both sides ofthe cassette 1000.

FIG. 88 illustrates a tenth example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000, wherein signal carrying cables 1012 are routed from aconnection location 1027 at the left side 1028 of the device 1022 tofiber optic adapters 650 located generally to the left of the device1022 at the front 1001 of the cassette 1000 after being routed aroundposts 1008 on both sides of the cassette 1000. This configuration issimilar to that of FIG. 86, except for the change in the orientation ofthe side.

FIG. 89 illustrates another example cable routing configuration withinthe cassette 1000 similar to the configuration of FIG. 88, whereinsignal carrying cables 1012 are routed from a connection location 1027at the left side 1028 of the device 1022 to fiber optic adapters 650located generally to the left of the device 1022 at the front 1001 ofthe cassette 1000 after being routed around posts 1008 on both sides ofthe cassette 1000. This configuration is similar to that of FIG. 87,except for the change in the orientation of the side.

Now referring to FIGS. 90-99, another embodiment of a fiber opticcassette 1100 is illustrated. The fiber optic cassette 1100 is anotherpiece of telecommunications equipment that may be mounted to the mainframe member 600 of FIG. 37 for providing connection locations 616 forthe module.

The fiber optic cassette 1100 of FIGS. 90-99, as depicted, shares manyof the features of the cassette 660 of FIGS. 38-49, cassette 760 ofFIGS. 50-71, and cassette 1000 of FIGS. 74-89, such as the adapter blocksnap-fit features, cable management and retention features, features formounting the cassette 1100 to the main frame member 600 and also coverfeatures that accommodate the LC connector latches. In the depictedembodiment of the cassette 1100, the fiber optic signal exit points maybe defined by the snap-in adapter blocks 640 at the front 1101 of thecassette body 1102, and cable entry points may be defined at the rear1103 of the cassette body 1102 by MPO style connectors 662. In thedepicted embodiment of the cassette 1100, the cable entry points may bedefined by a pair of MPO style connectors. A pair of MPO styleconnectors 662 coming from an exterior of the cassette 1100 are coupledto a pair of MPO style connectors 662 through a pair of adapters 682that are mounted at the rear 1103 of the cassette 1100.

Referring to FIGS. 90-99, cassette 1100 defines a rear extension 1120that is configured to support the pair of adapters 682. The cassette1100 includes a cover 1122 that is sized generally smaller than thecassettes of the previous embodiments such that the rear extension 1120stays exposed to an exterior of the cassette 1100.

The rear extension 1120 is defined by a rear wall 1124, an intermediatewall 1126 of the cassette 1100, and a bottom 1128 that extends betweenthe rear wall 1124 and the intermediate wall 1126 of the cassette 1100.The rear extension 1120 also includes a divider 1130 located between theintermediate wall 1126 and the rear wall 1124 defining the rearextension 1120.

The pair of adapters 682 each includes flanges 1132 on opposing sides ofthe adapter bodies. The flanges 1132 are slidably inserted into notches1134 defined on each of the rear wall 1124, the intermediate wall 1126,and the divider structure 1130 of the rear extension 1120. As shown inFIGS. 90 and 91, the notches 1134 are positioned such that when theadapters 682 are slidably inserted therein, the adapters 682 arepositioned in a staggered configuration. The staggering provides cablemanagement and also preserves bend radius requirements.

The flanges 1132 of the adapters 682 and the notches 1134 are sized toprovide a friction fit for retaining the adapters 682 at the rearextension 1120. The accessibility and removability of the adapters 682due to the exposed rear extension 1120 facilitate inspection and/orcleaning of the adapters 682 or the connectors 662 coupled therewith.

As noted above, a pair of MPO style connectors 662 are coupled to rightends 1136 of the adapters 682 in the depicted example. Each of the MPOstyle connectors 662 are terminated with cabling 1138 (i.e., pigtails)that extend between the connectors 662 and a crimp location 1140. In thedepicted embodiment, the connectors 662 include pigtails 1138 thatextend from the connectors 662 to a crimp location 1140 at the rightside 1142 of the cassette 1100. It should be noted that, as seen in FIG.99, connectors 662 can be provided at left ends 1144 of the adapters682, wherein pigtails 1138 could extend from the connectors 662 to acrimp location 1140 at the left side 1146 of the cassette 1100. Thus,the cassette 1100 allows the intermediate MPO connectors 662 (e.g., theconnectors that relay the signal from external connectors through theadapters 682) to be located at either end of the adapters 682.

The crimp locations 1140 at either the right side 1142 or the left side1146 of the cassette 1100 are defined by small pockets 1150. Thepigtails 1138 entering the cassette 1100 are connected to the crimplocations 1140 with a crimp tube 1152 and a crimp ring 1154 which crimpsthe jacket and strength member of the cabling 1138 to crimp tube 1152.The small pockets 1150 defined at each crimp location 1140 capture thecrimp tubes 1152 in a side-by-side stacked arrangement for retentionwith the cassette body 1102. Each pocket 1150 defining the crimplocation 1140 captures the hex end 1156 of crimp tube 1152 to retaincables 1138 with the cassette body 1102. Portions 1160 of theintermediate wall 1126 surrounding the pockets 1150 provide gradualcurves as the portions 1160 extend from the pockets 1150 to portions ofthe intermediate wall 1126 that are parallel to the rear wall 1124.Thus, bend radius protection is provided with the curved portions 1160of the intermediate wall 1126.

Referring now to FIGS. 97-99, the interior 1162 of the cassette body1102 generally defines two separately identifiable chambers 1164, eachchamber 1164 including a radius limiter 1166 (e.g., in the form of aspool) with removable cable retention fingers 1168 extending therefrom,similar to the embodiments of the cassettes described previously.

Connectorized cables 1170 (e.g., cables terminated with LC type fiberoptic connectors) extending from the crimp locations 1140 may be leadaround the radius limiters 1166 before being directed to the fiber opticadapter blocks 640 at the front 1101 of the cassette 1100, with avariety of different cable routing configurations.

Referring now to FIGS. 100-114, various example cable routingconfiguration are shown for a telecommunications rack 2000 that isconfigured to house a plurality of distribution panels 2002 similar tothe distribution panel 302 of FIG. 24. As will be described in furtherdetail below, the telecommunications rack 2000 includes a variety ofcable management features for managing incoming cables and outgoingcables and cabling within the rack 2000 itself. Cross-connect patchingcan also be provided between multiple similar racks 2000 using the cablemanagement features of the racks 2000.

The cable management features of the telecommunications rack 2000 havebeen designed such that the same length cables incoming to the rack 2000from above or below the rack 2000 can be routed to different portions ofthe rack 2000, with the slack being stored as needed on the features ofthe rack 2000.

Referring now to FIG. 100 specifically, the telecommunications rack 2000is shown from a rear side 2004 with one of the distribution panels 2002mounted thereon and with an example cable routing configuration aroundportions of the rack 2000. As shown, in the rear side 2004, the rack2000 defines vertical cable guides 2006, 2008, respectively, on both theright and left sides 2010, 2012 of the rack extending along the heightof the rack 2000. A cross-frame trough 2014 is provided for each panel2002 and connects the vertical cable guides 2006, 2008 on the right andleft sides 2010, 2012. A radius limiter 2016 in the form of a trumpetflare is provided on the right end of the cross-frame trough 2014. Asecond trumpet flare 2018 is provided below the first trumpet flare 2016on the right side 2010 of the rack 2000. At the left side 2012 of therack 2000, a radius limiter 2020 (e.g., a spool) is located within theleft vertical cable guide 2008. Although not shown in FIG. 100, a radiuslimiter 2040 (e.g., a spool) may also be mounted at the right side 2010of the rack 2000 for each panel 2002 (see FIG. 103) within the rightvertical cable guide 2006, in offset relationship with respect to thespool 2020 on the left side 2012. Still referring to FIG. 100, the rack2000 also includes a rear horizontal trough 2022 extending between theright side 2010 and the left side 2012 of the rack 2000. Front-to-reartroughs 2024, 2026 are also provided at each of the right and left sides2010, 2012, respectively, of the rack 2000 for routing cables between afront side 2028 and the rear side 2004 of the rack 2000, as will bediscussed in further detail below.

It should be noted that the terms “right” and “left” are used to referto the right and left sides of the rack when looking at the rack 2000from a rear view thereof (i.e. when a person is standing at the rear ofthe rack).

Still referring to FIG. 100, an example cable routing configuration forcables extending from modules of the panel 2002 is shown for a rear side2004 of the rack 2000. In the example shown in FIG. 100, for the modulelocated at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000, a cable 2030 extendingfrom an adapter 650 mounted on one of the main frame members 600 is leadaround the cable management features of a center member 340 of themodule and downwardly around fingers 2032 at the right side 2010 of therack 2000. From the fingers 2032, the cable 2030 goes through the secondtrumpet flare 2018 and up or down the vertical cable guide 2006 at theright side 2010 of the rack 2000. For a cable 2030 extending from amodule at the left side 2012 of the rack 2000, the cable 2030 is leadaround the cable management features of the center member 340 of themodule and downwardly around fingers 2034 at the left side 2012 of therack 2000. Thereafter, the cable 2030 is lead upwardly around the radiuslimiter 2020 and into the cross-frame trough 2014. The cable 2030 thenextends through the cross-frame trough 2030 and out the first trumpetflare 2016 and upwardly or downwardly into the vertical cable guide 2008at the left side 2012 of the rack 2000.

FIG. 101 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for a fiberoptic cassette similar to the cassette 760 of FIGS. 50-71 mounted on thepanel 2002 of FIG. 100, the cable routing shown for a rear side 2004 ofthe rack 2000. As discussed above, the slide assembly of the modulecarrying the cassette 760 provides a mechanism to take up the cableslack from the cassette 760 as the main frame member 600 is being movedback and forth on the panel 2002.

FIG. 102 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack 2000 for two incoming cables 2030 (e.g., an IFCcable) routed to the modules located on the rack 2000. In theillustrated example, the cables 2030 are incoming from a top side 2036of the rack 2000 and are clamped at the top, right side of the rack2000. In the example shown, one of the cables 2030 is routed through thevertical cable guide 2006 at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000. Adrip loop 2039 is formed. If the cable 2030 is being terminated at theright side 2010 of the rack 2000, the cable 2030 is routed through thesecond trumpet flare 2018 and into a module at the right side 2010 ofthe rack 2000. If the cable 2030 is being terminated at the left side2012 of the rack 2000, the cable 2030 is routed through the cross-frametrough 2014, around spool 2020, and into one of the modules within thepanel 2002 at the left side 2012 of the rack 2000. FIG. 102A is a closeup view of the radius limiter 2020 in the form of a spool at the leftside 2012 of the rack 2000. FIG. 102B is a close up view of the secondtrumpet flare 2018 at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000.

FIG. 103 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack 2000 of FIG. 100 for two incoming cables 2030routed to the modules located on the rack 2000, the cables 2030 incomingfrom a bottom side 2038 of the rack 2000. Cables 2030 are clamped at thebottom, right side of the rack 2000. The cables 2030 are routed throughthe vertical cable guide 2006 at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000.If the cable 2030 is terminated on the right side 2010 of the rack 2000,the cable 2030 is routed through the second trumpet flare 2018 and tothe module. The slack is taken up by an appropriate spool 2040 on theright side 2010 of the rack 2000. If the cable 2030 is being terminatedon the left side 2012 of the rack 2000, the cable 2030 is routed throughthe cross-frame trough 2014, around spool 2020 and into a module at theleft side 2012 of the rack 2000. The slack is again taken up by a spool2040 within the vertical cable guide 2006 on the right side 2010 of therack 2000. FIG. 103A is a close up view of the radius limiter 2020 inthe form of a spool at the left side 2012 of the rack 2000. FIG. 103B isa close up view of the second trumpet flare 2018 at the right side 2010of the rack 2000.

FIG. 104 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack 2000 of FIG. 100 for incoming patch cords 2030routed to the modules located on the rack 2000, the patch cords 2030incoming from the top 2036 of the rack 2000. The patch cords 2030 arerouted downwardly through the right vertical cable guide 2006. If thecable 2030 is being terminated at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000,the cable 2030 is routed through the second trumpet flare 2018 to themodule. If the cable 2030 is being terminated at the left side 2012 ofthe rack 2000, the cable 2030 is routed through the cross-frame trough2014, around spool 2020 on the left side 2012 of the rack 2000 and intothe module. FIG. 104A is a close up view of the radius limiter 2020 inthe form of a spool at the left side 2012 of the rack 2000. FIG. 104B isa close up view of the second trumpet flare 2018 at the right side 2010of the rack 2000.

FIG. 105 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for thetelecommunications rack 2000 of FIG. 100 for an incoming cable 2030 thatleads to a splice region or chassis 2042 of the rack 2000, the cable2030 incoming from the top 2036 of the rack 2000. As shown in FIG. 105,the cable 2030 is clamped from overhead at the top, right side of therack 2000. The cable 2030 is routed downwardly through the rightvertical cable guide 2006 into the splice chassis 2042. A splice chassissimilar to the splice chassis 2042 that may be provided on the rack 2000of the present disclosure is described in further detail in U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/704,055, filed on the same dayconcurrently herewith, the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

The splice chassis 2042, one example embodiment of which can be used onthe rack 2000, is illustrated in FIGS. 115-118 and will be discussed infurther detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 106, an example cable routing configuration isillustrated for the telecommunications rack 2000 of FIG. 100 forincoming cables 2030 that lead to the splice chassis 2042 of the rack2000, wherein the cables 2030 are incoming from the bottom 2038 of therack 2000. In such a routing, the cables 2030, which are clampedunderfloor at the bottom, right side of the rack 2000, are routedupwardly through the vertical cable guide 2006 at the right side 2010 ofthe rack 2000 into the splice chassis 2042.

FIG. 107 illustrates an example cable routing configuration within therack 2000 for pigtail cables 2030 extending from the modules of thetelecommunications rack 2000 of FIG. 100 to the splice chassis 2042 ofthe rack 2000. If the cable 2030 going toward the splice chassis 2042 iscoming from a module on the right side 2010 of the rack 2000, the cable2030 is routed through second trumpet flare 2018 and downwardly throughvertical cable guide 2006 at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000 to thesplice chassis 2042. If the cable 2030 going toward the splice chassis2042 is coming from a module on the left side 2012 of the rack 2000, thecable 2030 is routed down and around the radius limiter 2020 and uparound the cross-frame trough 2014. After passing through the firsttrumpet flare 2016, the cable 2030 is routed downwardly through verticalcable guide 2006 at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000 to the splicechassis 2042. FIG. 107A is a close up view of the radius limiter 2020 inthe form of a spool at the left side 2012 of the rack 2000. FIG. 107B isa close up view of the second trumpet flare 2018 at the right side 2010of the rack 2000.

FIGS. 108-113 illustrate example cable routing configurations at thefront side 2028 of the rack 2000, wherein patch cord cabling might beutilized. At the front side 2028, the rack 2000 includes the front-torear troughs 2024, 2026 that communicate with the rear horizontal trough2022 at the rear 2004 of the rack 2000. Cable loops 2044 are providedadjacent both the right and left sides 2010, 2012 of the rack 2000,wherein the cable loops 2044 are located within right and left frontvertical cable guides 2046, 2048, respectively. In the depictedembodiment, the rack 2000 also includes cable slack management spools2050 at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000, wherein the spools 2050are in a stacked configuration along a column at the right side 2010 ofthe rack 2000, at the front 2028 of the rack 2000.

For example, FIG. 108 illustrates a front perspective view of thetelecommunications rack 2000 of FIG. 100, showing an example cablerouting configuration at the front side 2028 of the rack 2000, thecables 2030 extending from the modules mounted on a distribution panel2002 similar to the distribution panel 302 of FIG. 24 which is mountedon the rack 2000. A cable 2030 in the form of a patch cord may be routedfrom the adapter ports 650 of a cassette similar to the cassette 760 ofFIGS. 50-71 to different locations around the rack 2000. For example,still referring to FIG. 108, for the module located at the left side2012 of the rack 2000, a cable 2030 extending from an adapter 650mounted on one of the main frame members 600 is lead around the cablemanagement features of a center member 340 of the module and downwardlyaround fingers 2052 at the left side 2012 of the rack 2000. From thefingers 2052, the cable 2030 can either extend through front-to-reartroughs 2026 to the rear horizontal trough 2022 and then to adestination rack 2000 for patching or down through the vertical cableguide 2048 through the cable loops 2044. A similar cable routingconfiguration may be followed for the module located at the right side2010 of the rack 2000.

FIG. 109 illustrates an example cable routing configuration at the frontside 2028 for a fiber optic cassette that may be mounted on a main framemember 600 on the panel 2002. As discussed above, the slide assembly ofthe module provides a mechanism to take up the cable slack from thecassette as the main frame member 600 is being moved back and forth onthe panel 2002.

FIG. 110 illustrates an example cable routing configuration forcross-connect cabling within the same rack 2000 from one module on apanel 2002 to another module on another panel 2002 within the rack 2000,wherein the modules are located on opposite sides 2010, 2012 of the rack2000. A cable 2030 coming from a first termination point on a module isrouted down through the vertical cable guide 2046 on the right side 2010to a bottom trough 2054. The cable 2030 is terminated to a secondtermination point on a module after passing around an anchor spool 2056provided adjacent the bottom trough 2054 at the front, right side of therack 2000. The cable 2030 is lead through the bottom trough 2054 andupwardly along the vertical cable guide 2048 at the left side 2012 ofthe rack 2000 before being terminated to the second termination point.Slack cabling is looped over storage spools 2050 at the right side 2010of the rack 2000.

FIG. 111 illustrates an example cable routing configuration forcross-connect cabling within the same rack 2000 similar to that shown inFIG. 110, however, between modules on the right side 2010 of the rack2000 and between modules on the left side 2012 of the rack 2000. Arouting similar to that shown in FIG. 110 is followed, however, crossingthe bottom trough 2054 twice, going within the vertical cable guides2046, 2048 twice, and going around the anchor spool 2056 twice for therespective terminations.

FIG. 112 illustrates an example cable routing configuration forcross-connect cabling between two of the telecommunications racks 2000of FIG. 100. In the example configurations shown in FIG. 112, once theproper patch cord length is determined, a cable 2030 from either amodule on the left side 2012 or a module on the right side 2010 isrouted through a respective front-to-rear trough 2024, 2026 to the rearhorizontal trough 2022 to the destination rack 2000. In certainembodiments, the cross-connect is performed from a module on a givenrack 2000 to a module on the opposite side of the destination rack 2000as shown in FIG. 112. Whether the cabling starts out from a module onthe right side 2010 of the rack 2000 or from a module on the left side2012 of the rack 2000, the cables 2030 are first lead down through theirrespective vertical cable guides 2046, 2048 to the bottom trough 2054,and after going through the bottom trough 2054, the cables 2030 are leadup the respective vertical cable guides 2046, 2048 to the respectivefront-to-rear troughs 2024, 2026 before being lead to the destinationrack 2000. The slack cabling is taken up by the storage spools 2050 onthe right side 2010 of the rack 2000.

FIG. 113 illustrates an example cable routing configuration for aninterconnect routing on a single rack 2000, wherein incoming patch cords2030 are routed to the modules located on the rack 2000, the patch cords2030 incoming from the top 2036 of the rack 2000. The patch cords 2030are normally routed from above the rack 2000 to a module on the oppositeside of the rack 2000. The patch cords 2030 are lead downwardly throughthe respective vertical cable guides 2046, 2048 and through the bottomtrough 2054. After going around the anchor spool 2056 adjacent the rightside 2010 of the rack 2000, the patch cords 2030 are terminated tomodules at opposite sides of the rack 2000 from where they first enteredthe rack 2000, as shown in FIG. 113. The slack cabling 2030 is taken upby the storage spools 2050 on the right side 2010 of the rack 2000.

FIG. 114 illustrates an example method of managing cable slack forcables 2030 routed within the rack 2000 of FIG. 100. For example, asseen in the example method in FIG. 114 and as discussed above withrespect to the various front cable routing configurations, the patchcord 2030 may be routed around the appropriate storage spool 2050 (e.g.,the highest possible spool) at the right side 2010 of the rack 2000after the patch cord 2030 has been terminated and has been extended asfar as it can reach.

Referring now to FIGS. 115-118, one example embodiment of a splicechassis that may be used as part of the telecommunications rack 2000 andthe associated cable routing around the splice chassis is illustrated.

The splice chassis will be described such that the terms “right” and“left” will be used to refer to the right and left sides of the chassiswhen looking directly at the splice chassis (i.e., when a person isstanding in front of the splice chassis).

FIG. 115 shows a perspective view of the bottom portion of the rack 2000that is configured to hold telecommunications equipment. As noted above,the rack 2000 includes a splice region 3110 at which one or more splicecassettes may be stored on the rack 2000. In some implementations, thesplice region 3110 is disposed beneath a termination region of the rack2000. In certain implementations, the splice region 3110 is disposedtowards a bottom of the rack 2000. In certain implementations, thesplice region 3110 is disposed at a “dead zone” beneath all terminationregions of the rack 2000. In certain implementations, the splice region3110 is located a rear side of the rack 2000. In certainimplementations, one or more covers can extend over the splice region3110 to inhibit access to and/or to protect the splice region 3110. Incertain implementations, the one or more covers can be fastened in placeto protect components at the splice region 3110.

In the example shown, a sliding drawer, blade, or other frame 3112 ismounted to the rack 2000 at the splice region 3110. The sliding frame3112 includes one or more compartments or zones 3114 at which the splicecassettes 3200 may be disposed. The frame 3112 may be slid relative tothe rack 2000 from a stowed position to an extended position to provideaccess to the splice cassettes 3200 disposed in the zones 3114. Forexample, the frame 3112 may include guides along which the frame 3112slides. In certain implementations, the splice cassettes 3200 are moreaccessible from a rear of the rack 2000 when the frame 3112 is slid tothe extended position and are less accessible from the rear of the rack2000 when the frame 3112 is slid to the stowed position. In certainimplementations, the rack 2000 inhibits access to the splice cassettes3200 when the frame 3112 is in the stowed position within the rack 2000.

In some implementations, the zones 3114 are arranged in a T-shapedconfiguration on the frame 3112 (see FIG. 117). In the example shown,the zones 3114 include a first zone 3114 a that extends horizontallyacross the rack 2000. The first zone 3114 a is configured to hold one ormore splice cassettes 3200 in a row extending parallel to a sidewaysaxis of the rack 2000. Forward-rearward facing zones 3114 b, 3114 c aredisposed at opposite ends of the first zone 3114 a. Eachforward-rearward facing zone 3114 b, 3114 c is configured to hold one ormore splice cassettes 3200 in a row extending parallel to aforward-rearward axis of the rack 2000. These three zones 3114 a-3114 cform the cross-member of the “T” of the frame 3112. Behind the firstzone 3114 a (i.e., closer to the front of the rack 2000) additionalforward-rearward facing zones 3114 d, 3114 e can be disposed. Thesezones 3114 d, 3114 e form the base of the “T” of the frame 3112. Inother implementations, however, the sliding frame 3112 may include agreater or lesser number of zones 3114 arranged in various otherconfigurations.

In general, the splice cassettes 3200 are configured to stack orotherwise fit together so that a bottom major surface of one splicecassette 3200 engages a top major surface of another splice cassette3200. An end of each splice cassette 3200 seats on the frame 3112, asdiscussed further in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/704,055, filedon the same day concurrently herewith, that has been incorporated byreference in its entirety.

The frame 3112 may include flat panels or flanges that extend upwardlyat opposite ends of one or more of the stacks to retain the splicecassettes 3200 within the frame 3112. In other implementations, thesplice cassettes 3200 may be stacked so that a major side or elongatededge of one or more of the splice cassettes seats on the frame 3112.

FIG. 116 shows one example implementation of the sliding frame 3112 inisolation from the frame 2000 and with the splice cassettes 3200removed. The sliding frame 3112 is configured for high-densityapplications. In some implementations, the frame 3112 can accommodate upto forty-eight splice cassettes, each with a capacity of up to six massfusion splices, which each splice having twelve fiber ribbons (i.e.,seventy-two spliced fibers), for a total capacity of 3,456 splices perframe 3112. In other implementations, the frame 3112 can accommodate agreater or lesser number of splice cassettes 3200. In otherimplementations, the splice cassettes 3200 can accommodate a greater orlesser number of splices.

In some implementations, each zone 3114 includes spaced apart flanges3118 that define cassette slots 3119 therebetween. In someimplementations, each cassette slot 3119 defines a space sized toreceive a single splice cassette 3200. In other implementations, eachcassette slot 3119 defines a space sized to receive multiple splicecassettes 3200. In certain implementations, each cassette slot 3119 isaligned with at least one lancing section 3115. In otherimplementations, at least one of the lancing sections 3115 is accessiblefrom each cassette slot 3119. The flanges 3118 and slots 3119 are sizedand shaped to receive the cassettes 3200 so that the cassettes 3200stand along narrow edges of the cassettes 3200.

The frame 3112 includes one or more lancing sections 3115 (e.g., attie-off points) at which optical fibers or cables can be secured whenrouted to the splice cassettes 3200. The fibers or cables can beanchored to the lancing sections 3115 by waxed lacing or other cablesecurement fasteners. In certain implementations, the incoming cablesare secured to the lancing sections 3115 as the incoming cables enterthe cassettes 3200. In the example shown in FIG. 117, a first lancingsection 3115 a extends along the front zone 3114 out of view in FIG.116. A second lancing section 3115 b is disposed at a first end of thefront compartment 3114 a adjacent the second zone 3114 b, and a thirdlancing section 3115 c is disposed at a second end of the firstcompartment 3114 a adjacent the third zone 3114 c. Fourth and fifthlancing sections 3115 d, 3115 e are disposed between the additionalforward-rearward facing zones 3114 d, 3114 e.

In some implementations, the rack 2000 defines a storage area 3116beneath the splice region 3110 (e.g., see FIGS. 115, 117, and 118). Incertain implementations, the storage region 3116 is disposed at a flooron which the rack 2000 seats. In certain implementations, the storageregion 3116 has a width that generally matches a lateral distance acrossthe fourth and fifth zones 3114 d, 3114 e of the frame 3112. In certainimplementations, the storage region 3116 has a width that generallymatches a distance across the first zone 3114 a of the frame 3112. Inthe example shown in FIG. 117, the first zone 3114 a and at least partof the fourth and fifth zones 3114 d, 3114 e are disposed over thestorage area 3116 when the frame 3112 is in the stowed position.

The storage region 3116 is configured to hold cable slack for the cablesand fibers (e.g., network cables, distribution cables, etc.) enteringand exiting the splices held at the splice region 3110. FIG. 117 shows atop plan view of the storage region 3116. One or more bend radiuslimiters 3119 are disposed within the storage area 3116. In the exampleshown, one bend radius limiter 3119 is disposed at a first side of thestorage area 3116 and another bend radius limiter 3119 is disposed at anopposite second side of the storage area 3116. The bend radius limiters3119 are accessible from the rear of the rack 2000 when the frame 3112is disposed at the extended position. The frame 3112 blocks access tothe limiters 3119 from the rear of the rack 2000 when the frame 3112 isdisposed at the stowed position.

As shown in FIG. 118, cables 3300 that are to enter and exit the splicecassettes 3200 are routed from a bottom of the frame 3100 into thestorage area 3116 below the splice region 3110. In the example shown,the cables 3300 are routed from one side of the frame. The cables 3300are routed between the two bend radius limiters 3119 (see points A inFIG. 118) and up to the sliding frame 3112. In some implementations, thecables 3300 are disposed within the storage area 3116 when the frame3112 is in the rear position. In particular, the slack length of thecables 3300 extends into the storage area 3116, extends between andloops around the bend radius limiters 3119, and extends up to the frame3112. In some implementations, sliding the frame 3112 to the extendedposition provides access to the storage area 3116 from the rear of therack 2000. As the frame 3112 is slid to the extended position, the cableslack lengthens out (e.g., unfolds from around the bend radius limiters3119).

In some implementations, the cables 3300 can be routed onto the frame3112 through guides (e.g., vertically extending bend radius limiters)3117 and into channels 3113 defined between the zones 3114. In certainimplementations, the guides 3117 are disposed where the base of the “T”of the frame 3112 and the cross-member of the “T” of the frame 3112meet. In certain implementations, the guides 3117 are located generallyabove the bend radius limiters 3119 when the frame 3112 is in the stowedposition. In some implementations, the cables 3300 are branched intofibers or groups of fibers when the cables 3300 enter from the guides3117. The separated fibers or groups of fibers (e.g., ribbons, bufferedfibers, upjacketed fibers, etc.) are each routed through the channels3113 to one of the zones 3114 a-3114 e. The cables 3300 are tied off atthe lancing points 3115 (e.g., see point B in FIG. 118) that correspondto the desired zone 3114 of the frame 3112.

In the example shown in FIG. 118, a first cable 3300 is routed from theright side of the rack 2000, through the bend radius limiters 3119, tothe left side of the storage area 3116, beneath the frame 3112, and to atop of the frame 3112 at a left guide 3117. Fibers or groups of fibersbranching from the first cable 3300 are routed to the second zone 3114b, fourth zone 3114 d, or left side of the first zone 3114 a and securedto the corresponding lancing sections 3115 b, 3115 d, 3115 a. A secondcable 3300 is routed from the right side of the rack 2000, through thebend radius limiters 3119, to the right side of the storage area 3116,beneath the frame 3112, and to a top of the frame 3112 at a right guide3117. Fibers or groups of fibers branching from the second cable 3300are routed to the third zone 3114 c, fifth zone 3114 e, or right side ofthe first zone 3114 a and secured to the corresponding lancing sections3115 c, 3115 e, 3115 a. In some implementations, the cables 3300 arerouted straight from the storage area 3116 to the guides 3117. In otherimplementations, the cables 3300 are curved or undulated en route to therespective guide 3117 (e.g., see section 3300 a in FIG. 118).

In some implementations, end lengths of the cables 3300 can be removedfrom the rack 2000 and prepared for splicing within one or more splicecassettes 3200 at a location remote from the rack 2000. For example, theterminated end of a cable 3300 can be broken out, ribbonized (ifinitially stranded), and spliced to one or more other cables at aworking location that is between one foot and fifty feet away from therack 2000. In certain implementations, the working location is locatedwithin thirty feet of the rack 2000. In certain implementations, theworking location is located within twenty feet of the rack 2000. Incertain implementations, the working location is located within ten feetof the rack 2000. At least some of the excess slack of the end length ofthe cable 3300 is taken up by winding the end length around the splicecassettes 3200 until the splice cassette 3200 is located at the frame3112.

Although in the foregoing description, terms such as “top”, “bottom”,“front”, “back”, “right”, “left”, “upper”, and “lower were used for easeof description and illustration, no restriction is intended by such useof the terms. The telecommunications devices described herein can beused in any orientation, depending upon the desired application.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the presentinvention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts mayreadily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended thatsuch modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of theclaims which are appended hereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic cassette for removablemounting to a telecommunications fixture via a first snap-fit interlockstructure, the fiber optic cassette comprising: a body; a fiber opticsignal entry location defined on the body for a fiber optic signal toenter the cassette via a fiber optic cable; an adapter block defining aplurality of fiber optic adapters, the adapter block removably mountedto the cassette body via a second snap-fit interlock structure, eachadapter of the block defining an outer end, an inner end, and internalstructures which allow mating of fiber optic connectors that are mountedto the outer and inner ends, respectively; and optical fibers terminatedwith fiber optic connectors extending from the fiber optic signal entrylocation to the inner ends of at least some of the fiber optic adaptersof the snap-fit adapter block for relaying the fiber optic signal tofiber optic connectors to be coupled to the outer ends of the adapters;wherein at least a portion of the first snap-fit interlock structure isdefined by the adapter block.
 2. The cassette of claim 1, wherein thecassette body defines a front and an opposite rear and an enclosedinterior.
 3. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette body definesa front and an opposite rear, and the fiber optic signal entry locationis defined on the rear.
 4. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the firstsnap-fit interlock structure is configured to allow the adapter block tobe mounted to the telecommunications fixture without the remainder ofthe fiber optic cassette.
 5. The cassette of claim 1, wherein theadapters of the adapter block are integrally formed with the block as aunitary piece.
 6. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the fiber opticsignal entry location is defined by the adapters of the adapter block.7. The cassette of claim 1, further comprising an optical device housedby the cassette configured to process the fiber optic signal enteringthe cassette at the fiber optic signal entry location.
 8. The cassetteof claim 7, wherein the optical device includes a fiber optic splitter.9. The cassette of claim 7, wherein the optical device includes a fiberoptic coupler.
 10. The cassette of claim 7, wherein the optical deviceincludes a multiplexer/demultiplexer.
 11. The cassette of claim 1,further including radius limiters for guiding the optical fibers fromthe signal entry location to the inner ends of the fiber optic adapters.12. The cassette of claim 11, wherein the radius limiters includeremovable cable retention fingers.
 13. The cassette of claim 11, whereinthe radius limiters are defined at least in part by integral portions ofthe body.
 14. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cablecarrying the fiber optic signal entering the cassette includes a jacket,a strength member, and the optical fibers, wherein the strength memberis crimped to a crimp tube and is mounted to the cassette body, allowingthe optical fibers to extend past the crimp tube into the cassette body.15. The cassette of claim 14, wherein the cassette body defines curvedportions adjacent the crimp tube for providing bend radius protection tothe fiber optic cable without the use of a strain relief boot.
 16. Thecassette of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable carrying the fiberoptic signal entering the cassette is terminated by an MPO connector.17. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic adapters of theadapter block are of LC format.
 18. The cassette of claim 1, wherein thecassette body defines a front, an opposite rear, a top surface and abottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces defining major sides of thecassette body and extending between the front and the rear, wherein theadapters of the adapter block are stacked along the front and extend ina longitudinal direction parallel to the major surfaces defined by thetop and the bottom of the cassette body.
 19. The cassette of claim 18,wherein the fiber optic cable at the signal entry location extendsparallel to the longitudinal direction before entering the cassettebody.
 20. The cassette of claim 18, wherein the fiber optic cable at thesignal entry location extends perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection before entering the cassette body.